emergency contraception

What is Emergency Contraception (EC, the Morning After Pill)?

Emergency contraception is birth control that can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Emergency contraception is also called "the morning after pill" or EC. A woman can use emergency contraception right away, or up to five days after sex, if a woman thinks that her birth control failed or if… Read more »
How does Progestin Only emergency contraception work?

The EC doesn’t protect you if you have unprotected intercourse after taking EC. 51 If a woman uses Progestin-only Emergency Contraception within the first 24 hours of unprotected sex, her risk of pregnancy is reduced by 95%. Overall, Progestin-only Emergency Contraception can reduce the risk of… Read more »
How should I take emergency contraception?

Emergency Contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Even if a woman is not yet ovulating (when the egg is in the fallopian tube), sperm can live in a woman's body for 5-7 days after intercourse. Progestin-only Emergency Contraception is most effective if taken within… Read more »
Why should I obtain emergency contraception before I need it?

Because Emergency Contraception must be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex, it is important to have it readily available. Women Help Women can help women get access to either 6 or 13 EC pills – so that women can protect themselves, their friends and their family. If a woman keeps… Read more »
What are the advantages of emergency contraception?

If a woman has unprotected sex or the contraceptive method she was using fails, Emergency Contraception can reduce the chance of an unwanted pregnancy. Taking Emergency Contraception is also controlled by the woman, is easy to take and has few side effects. Progestin-only Emergency Contraception… Read more »
What are the disadvantages of emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is not as effective as using a reliable birth control method before or during sex, like the pill or condoms. Emergency contraception can be expensive and hard to get in some countries or for some women. There are no other disadvantages. Read more »
Are there contra-indications or health concerns for emergency contraception, and what are the possible side effects?

Emergency contraceptive pills have no long-term or serious side effects, and emergency contraception is safe for almost every woman to use. Some women may feel nauseous or may vomit after using emergency contraception. Some women might get a headache, feel tired or dizzy, have some lower abdominal… Read more »
When can I start the pill after using emergency contraception?

Women can start the contraceptive pill immediately after using emergency contraception, but she will need a backup method for the first 7 days of taking the pills (if she is taking the estradiol valerate/dienogest pill she needs to use a backup method for 9 days). Condoms can be used as a back-up… Read more »
Can I use any birth control pills for emergency contraception?

Not all birth control pills can be used for emergency contraception but some can. Here you will find all the birth control pill brands available worldwide that contain the hormones that have been most widely studied and found to be safe and effective as emergency contraceptive pills (“morning after… Read more »
Is Emergency Contraception safe?

Yes, almost all women can use at least one type of emergency contraception. No deaths have been linked to using emergency contraceptive pills, and medical experts agree there are no situations where the risks of emergency contraception outweigh the benefits of being able to prevent pregnancy after… Read more »
Myths about morning after pill (emergency contraception)

Some people get confused and think that emergency contraceptive pills (or morning after pills) are the same as “abortion pills”. They aren’t. Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy before it begins, and works by delaying or inhibiting ovulation; it does not cause an abortion. If a… Read more »