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Emergency Contraceptive
What is it?
Emergency contraception (EC) is a back-up method of preventing pregnancy after having an unplanned, unprotected sexual encounter or when the method of contraception fails (condom broke). Currently there are two types of EC available to women:
- Plan B
- Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)
Plan B
Each 100 mg Plan B tablet contains 0.75 mg of synthetic progestin called Levonorgestrel, which is a commonly used ingredient in birth control pills. One pill is taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex (up to 120 hours) and the second pill is taken exactly 12 hours after the first dose. More detailed information on Plan B.
Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)
The ECP is a series of 4 contraceptive pills containing estrogen and progesterone. Ovral* (a type of birth control pill) is the most commonly used pill for this method of emergency contraception. Two Ovral* pills are taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex (up to 120 hours) and two more pills are taken exactly 12 hours after the first dose.
How does it work?
Both Plan B and the ECP work in the same way. If taken within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, the medication may prevent a pregnancy from occurring. They work in one of three ways:
- Temporarily stops the release of an egg from the ovary
- Prevents fertilization of the egg
- Prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus (implantation)
Neither Plan B nor the ECP are considered abortion pills. They will not work against an existing pregnancy.
How effective is it in preventing pregnancy?
Both methods of emergency contraception have similar rates of success in preventing pregnancy. However, the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is.
- Plan B can reduce the risk of pregnancy by about 89%. (95% of pregnancies prevented if taken within 24 hours, 61% of pregnancies prevented if taken within 48 to 72 hours)
- The ECP is between 69% and 97.8% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within 120 hours (5 days)
What are the disadvantages?
- Emergency contraception does not provide long-term protection against future pregnancies. It will only work to prevent pregnancy for the current incident.
- They do not protect against sexually transmitted infections
- Plan B and the ECP may cause side effects in some people, including: nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, headaches, cramping, diarrhea, vaginal bleeding or spotting, dizziness or fatigue
Where can I get it?
Emergency contraception is available from:
- Your doctor
- Health centres
- Walk-in clinics
- Birth control/sexual health clinics
- Any emergency department
- Pharmacies (Plan B only)
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