Contraception
Emergency Contraception After Sex
You get caught up in the heat of the moment, and have sex without contraception. Or maybe the condom breaks. Regardless how it happens, unprotected sex opens the door to the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy.
But you're not completely out of options. There is still emergency contraception (EC), and unlike other forms of contraception, EC can be used AFTER intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
You have two types of EC methods to choose from:
- Hormonal EC methods (‘’the morning after pill’’)
- a special formulation called Plan B® (progestin-only method)
- a special formulation called NorLevo® (progestin-only method)
- a series of four contraceptive pills called the Yuzpe method (combined estrogen and progestin)
- A copper intrauterine device (copper IUD) inserted by a health-care professional and available by prescription only
After unprotected sex, you have a window of 5 days to use EC pills (up to 7 days for the copper IUD), although the sooner you use it, the better it works.
The methods come with clear and simple instructions, and up to 99 per cent of women who use them are able to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. Of course, many of these women would not have been pregnant in the first place.
Emergency contraceptives work by delaying or inhibiting the release of an egg (ovulation), altering the luteal phase length, and also possibly inhibiting the implantation of a fertilized egg. In the unlikely event that implantation does occur, EC does not interrupt the pregnancy or put the fetus at risk.
It can prevent an unplanned pregnancy in the following situations:
- No contraception was used
- Missed birth control pills, patch, or ring
- The condom slipped, broke, or leaked
- The diaphragm or cervical cap is dislodged during sexual intercourse or was removed too early
- Error in the calculation of the fertility period
- Non-consensual sexual intercourse (sexual assault)
EC is very safe, but it can cause side-effects such as nausea or vomiting. These effects are much less common with progestin-only methods (Plan B® or NorLevo®) than with the Yuzpe method. If you vomit within an hour of taking EC, you'll need to retake the dose.
How to get it
EC is easy to find because it is now available directly in the pharmacy without a prescription in most provinces. You can also contact the nearest health centre in your area, your own doctor, a walk-in clinic, or the nearest birth control/sexual health clinic. The cost varies depending on which EC you use and where you get it. It may be a good idea to obtain the product in advance to have on hand if an emergency occurs. Remember that emergency contraception is intended for occasional use only; you shouldn't rely on EC as your primary method of birth control. It's less effective than regular contraceptive methods and offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
- Call the Canadian Federation for Sexual Health’s bilingual hotline (formerly Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada), 1-888-270-7444, for guidance about getting ECs in your area.
- Or use our clinic locator.
When mistakes happen, EC is your last chance to take control of your reproductive destiny, so make sure you know how to get it - just in case.
OTHER HELPFULL RESOURCES
S.O.S. (Stay on Schedule) an interactive, online application designed to help guide you and offer you a course of action if you have missed or extended your dose of contraception.
www.sexualityandu.ca/teens/sos.aspx
“Choosing Wisely” is an interactive tool to help you find the best contraception options that match your needs and lifestyle. If you have trouble remembering to consistently take your birth control, perhaps you should consider a different method of contraception. www.sexualityandu.ca/trialdp/index.aspx
Last Modified: July 28, 2009
