Emergency contraceptives are a type of birth control you can take to prevent pregnancy after you’ve had unprotected sex or if your birth control of choice failed or didn’t work properly. For example, you may need emergency contraception if your condom tears or breaks during sex or you miss a dose of your birth control pill.
But for emergency contraceptives to prevent pregnancy, timing is very important. If you take most emergency contraceptives within the 5-day window after you’ve had sex, they can prevent more than 9 out of 10 pregnancies. The sooner you take it, the better.
You may have heard emergency contraception called the morning-after pill or Plan B. Here’s a closer look at FDA-approved emergency contraceptives, how to get them, and how they work.
Who Should Use Emergency Contraceptives?
You might use emergency birth control in several situations after you’ve had sex, such as:
- You didn’t use any reliable birth control during sex.
- You’re worried that your birth control failed or you used it incorrectly.
- Your partner didn’t pull out in time.
- You were sexually assaulted or forced to have vaginal sex without any protection.
Emergency contraceptives can prevent pregnancy in a small window of time. They can’t cause an abortion.
Types of Emergency Contraceptives
There are four emergency contraceptive methods available in the U.S. Some are available over-the-counter, while you’ll need a prescription for others. None of the options are effective if you’re already pregnant.
Options include:
Progestin-only contraceptive pill (Plan B Step-One). This is FDA-approved and the most popular type of emergency contraceptive. It’s available as a pill and contains a hormone called levonorgestrel (LNG). You may know this as the “morning-after pill” or Plan B. Other generic names include AfterPill, My Way, Next Choice One Dose, and Take Action.
You can take it in one dose with 1.5 milligrams of LNG that you take within 72 hours (3 days) after you’ve had unprotected sex. You can get it over-the-counter at any age without any restrictions.
It’s also available in two doses of 0.75 milligrams of LNG. You’ll need to take the second pill 12 hours after the first. This is available over-the-counter to those who are 17 or over with a photo ID.
You can take Plan B immediately after sex. The pill is designed to delay ovulation, the time period when the ovaries release an egg. If you don’t ovulate, it’s not possible for you to get pregnant.
Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne, Fibristal). This FDA-approved single dose is nonhormonal birth control. You’ll need to take one 30 milligram tablet within 120 hours or 5 days of having unprotected sex.
But this type of emergency contraceptive requires a prescription from a doctor, nurse, or clinic. Like the morning-after pill, Ella also delays ovulation.
Combined progestin-estrogen pills. There are different forms of this, but it’s mostly available as a two-dose regimen that you’ll need to take within 120 hours or 5 days of having unprotected sex. Take the second dose 12 hours after the first one. To get this, you’ll need a prescription.
Copper intrauterine device (ParaGard IUD, Mirena, Liletta). It’s a T-shaped nonhormonal birth control device with copper wiring. A doctor needs to insert the IUD inside your uterus during an in-office visit. While this is usually used as long-term birth control, it can be used as an emergency contraceptive as long as it’s placed within 120 hours or 5 days from the time you’ve had unprotected sex.
The copper wiring makes the uterus difficult for the sperm to survive and for the egg to implant into the uterus walls. This prevents pregnancy.
When used correctly, it’s safe and almost 100% effective. The copper IUD can be continued as regular birth control for up to 10 years. You can request your doctor to remove it at any time.
During the IUD insertion procedure, you may feel dizziness, fainting, nausea, low blood pressure, or a slower than normal heart rate. These effects don’t last long. Your doctor may ask you to lie down for a few minutes before you leave their office.
What Are the Side Effects of Emergency Contraception?
Side effects from emergency contraceptive pills are usually mild, don’t last long, and vary for each person. It can include:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Breast pain
After you take the pill, your next period might come early or late. You might have some light bleeding or spotting between periods. If you’re concerned, tell your doctor about it.
If you’re taking the progestin-only morning-after pill, studies show it’s less effective than Ella among those who are obese.
Studies show the combined progestin-estrogen pill is less effective than the morning-after pill or Ella taken separately. It also increases your risk for side effects like nausea and vomiting.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the dose, take another dose.
If you opt for the copper IUD, you may have:
- Cramps
- Spotting or light bleeding between periods
- Heavy periods
- Period pain
Less than 1% of people who use IUDs get pregnant. If you do, you’re more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy. That's when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus and cannot survive. You’ll need immediate medical attention if this happens.
Emergency contraceptives don’t affect your future fertility. Also, IUDs and other emergency contraceptives don’t protect you from STIs.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: Moment RF / Getty Images
SOURCES:
CDC: “Emergency Contraception.”
Mayo Clinic: “Copper IUD (ParaGard).”
Cleveland Clinic: “Morning-After Pill.”
World Health Organization: “Emergency Contraception.”
Office on Women’s Health: “Emergency Contraception.”
The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists: “Emergency Contraception.”
