Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception, often referred to as the "morning-after pill," is a method of preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It works by delaying or preventing ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of a fertilized egg. Emergency contraception is not intended for regular use but rather as a backup method when primary contraception fails or is not used.

Additional Information

There are two main types of emergency contraception:

1. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs): These can be taken up to 3-5 days after unprotected sex, depending on the specific type. The most common forms are:

   • Levonorgestrel pills (e.g., Plan B One-Step)
   • Ulipristal acetate pills (e.g., ella)

2. Copper intrauterine device (IUD): This can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex and is the most effective form of emergency contraception.

It's important to note that emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and is not an abortion method - it prevents pregnancy from occurring rather than terminating an existing pregnancy.