Emergency Birth Control

Emergency birth control is available to women but many do not know it exists. This treatment must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex in order to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. The following information will include information regarding how and when Emergency Birth Control can be used. Also included are important facts which may help you decide whether or not this is the best option for you.

This form of emergency birth control is available to most women. If you can use birth control pills as a regular form of birth control, then you can probably use this emergency method also. If you think that you may want to consider this contraceptive, your health care provider can give you a prescription.

Women with breast cancer, high blood pressure, who are already pregnant, or have had blood clots, should not use this method. Your health care provider can help you choose an alternative method if you have any of these medical conditions.

All women should remember that this is a last resort contraceptive. Consider all your options and plan a regular contraceptive method with your physician.

What is it?

Emergency Birth Control is actually a series of pills, and is not the same as an abortion pill used in Europe. Emergency Birth Control is not a regular form of birth control but is available if your regular birth control method fails. If there is any risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex, after a condom breaks, or in cases of rape or sexual assault, then the Emergency Birth Control may be appropriate for you. This birth control method requires a woman to take one dose of birth control pills and a second dose twelve hours later. This must be done within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Taking this increased amount of hormones interrupts the fertilization process so that the woman does not become pregnant.

Safety?

The FDA ruled in February 1997 that, if taken according to instructions, using oral contraceptives as emergency birth control is safe and effective in preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. Contact your health care provider in order to discuss the treatment and any questions or concerns you may have.