What do I need to know about emergency contraception?
Posted on: October 31, 2019
Emergency contraception (often called the morning after pill) can be a lifesaver in an emergency. Accidents happen to all of us – and we’re glad this step can help out in a scary situation.
BUT it really is for emergencies only, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Here’s why:
1. Emergency contraception mainly prevents pregnancy by stopping or delaying the ovaries from releasing an egg. If you’ve ovulated before taking the morning after pill, it won’t stop your egg meeting the sperm to create a pregnancy
2. Efficacy changes over time: while it’s 95% effective within the first 24 hours after unprotected sex, that number drops to 58% when the pill is taken within 49-72 hours. Using it repeatedly can interrupt the natural menstrual cycle
3. It may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, menstrual pain, tiredness, dizziness, fatigue
4. It’s more expensive! If you took emergency contraception on a regular basis, the costs are higher compared with regular contraception methods
5. Compared with the standard daily birth control pill, the hormonal dosage is much higher
6. Unlike condoms, it does NOT protect against sexually transmitted infections (including HIV)
More questions?
