If you find yourself in a situation whereby you might possibly be pregnant, and you don’t want to be, there are likely some options for emergency contraception.
Emergency contraception is taken orally, and prevents the implantation of a potentially fertilised egg. Even if the egg is fertilised, it will fall out if it can’t implant in the uterus, thus avoiding a pregnancy.
When can I take emergency contraception?
The ‘morning after pill’ or Plan B must be taken as soon as possible after the sexual interaction to be effective. Within 120 hours (5 days) is the window of opportunity, but the sooner, the better.
Levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive pills are available either over-the-counter or from a pharmacist without having to see a doctor or nurse in 60 countries, including the USA1.
In the USA, progestin-only emergency contraception, like Plan B One-Step, is available on the shelf with no restrictions.
Can I use the regular pill as emergency contraception?
Yes! You can use the oral contraceptive pill the same way you would use the morning-after emergency contraceptive pills from the doctor or pharmacy, but you will need a bigger dose. See the chart below for equivalent doses that will be effective.
While you may not be on the oral contraceptive pill yourself or have any sitting around at home, a friend might. In some places, you can get a prescription for birth control pills from a clinic or doctor on the same day, even if you can’t easily get emergency contraception.
Princeton University says: ‘All of the brands listed here may be effective when used within 120 hours after unprotected sex, but should be taken as soon as possible.’
Table 1. Oral contraceptives that can be used for emergency contraception
| Brand | 1st dose | 2nd dose 12 hours later |
|---|---|---|
| ella | 1 white pill | None |
| Levonorgestrel Tablets | 2 white pills | None |
| Next Choice | 2 peach pills | None |
| Next Choice One Dose | 1 peach pill | None |
| Plan B One-Step | 1 white pill | None |
| Altavera | 4 peach pills | 4 peach pills |
| Amethia | 4 white pills | 4 white pills |
| Amethia Lo | 5 white pills | 5 white pills |
| Amethyst | 6 white pills | 6 white pills |
| Aviane | 5 orange pills | 5 orange pills |
| Camrese | 4 light blue-green pills | 4 light blue-green pills |
| CamreseLo | 5 orange pills | 5 orange pills |
| Cryselle | 4 white pills | 4 white pills |
| Enpresse | 4 orange pills | 4 orange pills |
| Introvale | 4 peach pills | 4 peach pills |
| Jolessa | 4 pink pills | 4 pink pills |
| Lessina | 5 pink pills | 5 pink pills |
| Levora | 4 white pills | 4 white pills |
| Lo/Ovral | 4 white pills | 4 white pills |
| LoSeasonique | 5 orange pills | 5 orange pills |
| Low-Ogestrel | 4 white pills | 4 white pills |
| Lutera | 5 white pills | 5 white pills |
| Lybrel | 6 yellow pills | 6 yellow pills |
| Nordette | 4 light-orange pills | 4 light-orange pills |
| Ogestrel | 2 white pills | 2 white pills |
| Portia | 4 pink pills | 4 pink pills |
| Quasense | 4 white pills | 4 white pills |
| Seasonale | 4 pink pills | 4 pink pills |
| Seasonique | 4 light-blue-green pills | 4 light-blue-green pills |
| Sronyx | 5 white pills | 5 while pills |
| Trivora | 4 pink pills | 4 pink pills |
b The label for Levonorgestrel Tablets says to take one pill within 72 hours after unprotected sex, and another pill 12 hours later. However, research has found that both pills can be taken at the same time.
All of the brands listed here may be effective when used within 120 hours after unprotected sex, but should be taken as soon as possible. c
References
- 1.Cleland K, Bass J, Doci F, Foster AM. Access to Emergency Contraception in the Over-the-Counter Era. Women’s Health Issues. Published online November 2016:622-627. doi:10.1016/j.whi.2016.08.003
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