Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)

The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) is a form of contraception that women can use after unprotected sex. This page explains how the ECP works and tells you how to use it.

WHAT IS THE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL (ECP)?

Ø  The ECP is taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.

Ø  It stops or delays the release of an egg from your ovaries until the guy’s sperm aren’t active in your body any more.

Ø  It prevents the sperm from fertilising an egg by changing the way the sperm moves in your body.

Ø  It doesn’t work once the egg has been fertilised.

Ø  It doesn’t harm you or a developing embryo.

WHEN CAN I TAKE THE ECP?

The ECP is approved to be taken up to 72 hours after sex (three days). However for most women it is still effective up to four days after sex.

HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT?

Ø  t has a success rate of 98% for women of average weight when taken within four days of unprotected sex.

Ø  The ECP is not as effective for heavier women and these women would be better to have an IUD inserted. Women who weigh more than 70kg are classed as heavier women in this instance.

Ø  Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medication you are taking as you may need extra ECPs or a copper IUD. If you vomit within three hours of taking the ECP you’ll need to get another one.

Ø  An alternative method of emergency contraception is the copper IUD. It is inserted by a doctor or trained nurse up to five days after the egg is released, and it’s almost 100% effective.

Ø  It has the advantage of providing long-term contraception and being effective for heavier women.

DOES THE ECP HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?

A few women have mild side effects e.g. feel sick or vomit. You can take the ECP with food to lessen the chance you will feel sick.

There is a very small risk of an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) if the ECP fails. This can occur with any pregnancy and can be dangerous. If you have cramping or bleeding, see a doctor, or go back to the clinic

If you think you could be pregnant, have a pregnancy test three to four weeks after you use the ECP.

CAN I GET THE ECP IN ADVANCE?

Yes, you can buy it from a chemist or get it from our clinics or your doctor on prescription.

You can have it at home just in case and having it handy means you can take it as soon as you realise there is a problem.

WHAT ELSE SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE ECP?

Ø  It contains progestogen, which is a very safe hormone.

Ø  It doesn't make it harder for you to get pregnant later on.

Ø  It’s not harmful if you use it more than once.

Ø  It won’t cause an abortion if you are already pregnant.

TYPES OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

The first type of emergency contraceptive pill contains a hormone called progestin (learn more about these emergency contraceptive pills). Progestin-only pills can reduce your risk of getting pregnant by 88% (what does that mean?). You are also less likely to have side effects if you use these pills for emergency contraception, as compared with combined pills (see below).

The second type of emergency contraceptive pill contains ulipristal acetate, and is available by prescription only in the United States (sold as ella) and Europe (sold as ellaOne). It has been found to be highly effective and well-tolerated. It can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, and is believed to be more effective than levonorgestrel ECPs.

The third type of emergency contraceptive pill uses both the hormones progestin and estrogen (learn more about these "combined" emergency contraceptive pills). Many brands of the combined daily birth control pill can be used for emergency contraception in the United States (find out which ones here). These pills cut your chances of getting pregnant by 75% (What does that mean?), and you are more likely to experience side effects like nausea and vomiting.

The fourth type of emergency contraceptive pill contains small doses of mifepristone. This pill is also highly effective, with few side-effects. This type of emergency contraceptive pill is currently available only in China, Vietnam, Armenia and Russia.

The Copper-T IUD is also a highly effective method of emergency contraception, and can be used as ongoing contraception for at least 10 years.

CAN I USE THE ECP AS A REGULAR METHOD OF CONTRACEPTION?

No. The ECP is not as effective as other contraceptive methods, doesn’t protect you from sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and doesn’t protect you from pregnancy for future sex, so it’s unwise to use it as a regular method of contraception.