Emergency Contraception
•
H
E omwer gefenccyt ivceo ntsraecmeprtigoenn icsy moosnt terfafceecptitvieo
if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex.
Emergency contraception can be effective
up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected se nx.
Plan B wil prevent:
?
• First 24 hours - about 95 per cent
of possible pregnancies
• 25 to 48 hours - about 85 per cent
of possible pregnancies
• 49 to 120 hours - effectiveness begins
D Emer
It is a special kind
epending on where gency Co
Commonly cal ed
of hormone pil that
can prevent pregnancy after you have
unprotected sex or your birth control
method fails (e.g. condom breaks).
• Emergency contraception is only for
emergency use and does not provide
ongoing protection against pregnancy
between your periods.
H
to drop to 58 per cent at 72 hours
Ovral wil prevent:
• First 24 hours - about 77 per cent
• ow
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cycle, emergency contraception may:
• stop or delay the release of the egg.
• change the lining of the uterus.
ntrthe “Morningaceptio After Pil”
What is emergency contraception?
n
of possible pregnancies
sperm, by slowing it down, so fertilization
• 25 to 48 hours - about 36 per cent
and implantation may not occur.
of possible pregnancies
• 49 to 120 hours - effectiveness begins
Emergency contraception does not affect a
to drop to 31 per cent at 72 hours
pregnancy that has already been implanted
in the uterus.
H
Emergency contraception should be considered
any time a female wants to avoid pregnancy. This
• ow do I use emer
There are two hor gency co
monal type ntrs of aceptio
emergen?ncy When may inshocluuld de thI e ftake olowiemerng sitgency uationcos:
• A birth control method was not us ntr
ed. aception?
contraception. The effectiveness, cost
and side effects of the two emergency
contraception methods, Plan B and Ovral,
• Condom(s) broke, leaked, slipped, or fel off.
are slightly different.
• Withdrawal (pul ing out) method was used.
• A birth control pil was not started or missed by
Plan B - Contains one hormone (progestin)
24 hours or longer.
- Plan B is 2 pil s.
• A progestin only pil (e.g. Micronor) was
You can take 2 Plan B pil s right away OR take
missed by more than 3 hours.
1 pil right away and 1 pil in 12 hours. Taking
• A birth control patch fel off for more than
the 2 pil s at once is easier and just as effective.
24 hours or was applied late by 2 or more days.
• A new vaginal contraceptive ring was inserted
Ovral - Contains two hormones
2 or more days late, a ring fel out for more than
(estrogen and progestin)
3 hours or was worn for more than 28 days.
- Ovral is 4 pil s.
• A Depo Provera injection is overdue by 7 or
more days.
Take 2 Ovral pil s as soon as possible.
• A diaphragm was not used correctly.
Take the next 2 Ovral pil s 12 hours later.
• An IUD partial y or total y fel out.
• Sexual assault occurred.
Wher
Emer e do I get emer
gency contracepti gency co
on can be ntrobtaceptio
ained byn? • The dose of hormone(s) in emergency
getting a prescription from your health-care
Impocolo
• E
o rn
m
n tant to r
ntraception
g-term eff
ergency c
your perio emember
is safe - there are no
provider or birth control clinic. Emergency
ects.
contraception (Plan B) may be available at your
ontraception does not bring
local pharmacy without a prescription. You may
d right away.
be charged extra for a pharmacy consultation fee.
• Your period may come early or late, but it should
come in the next 21 to 28 days. If you do not get
What ar
your period you should have a pregnancy test.
emer
• A pregnancy test can be done by your health-care
provider or at a birth control clinic.
• Wom e the side eff
gency coen mntray have ligects of
aceptiohn?t bleed ing in the
next few days after taking the pil s.
• Some women may experience headaches, stomach
cramps, bloating, nausea or feel more tired than
Choose to have sex or not - you have the right
usual, but these side effects are not common.
Sex
to
Cho
and ual decisio
make that deci
ose to prote
sexual y tran n making
sion.
• Nausea and vomiting are common side effects
ct yourself from pregnancy
of Ovral.
smitted infection (STI).
• To prevent nausea and vomiting, take an
anti-nausea pil (e.g. Gravol) 1 hour before taking
Use a condom every time you have sex
the Ovral pil s.
to lower your risk of STI.
• Eating before taking Ovral may decrease nausea
and vomiting as wel .
Talk with your partner about these choices
• If you vomit within 1 hour of taking the Ovral
before you have sex.
pil s, contact your birth control clinic or health-care
provider. You may need another dose of Ovral pil s,
otherwise you may become pregnant.
S
Fo
Co
Ed
Fo r mo
ntact
mont
rt Mc r
y
o
M e info
our phy
n:
urray: rsimatio
cian, lo
(780
(780 ncal community
health centre or birth control clinic:
Calgary:
(403) 944-7111
• ee yoBlour do
od clo ctots - r immediately o
In rare cases, wo r go to the
nearest emergency room if you havmen te:aking
) 735-0010
emergency contraception may develop a
) 791-6263
blood clot. Your risk is higher if you are a
Grande Prairie:
(780) 513-7551
smoker. If there is a family history or you have
Lethbridge:
(403) 320-0110
had a blood clot, heart attack or stroke, you
Red Deer:
(403) 346-8336
are at higher risk.
Or
• Symptoms of blood clots
Health Link Alberta (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
- severe abdominal pain
Edmonton, cal 408-LINK (5465)
- severe chest pain or difficulty breathing
Calgary, cal 943-LINK (5465)
- svere headaches or numbness
Outside the Edmonton
in arms and legs
and Calgary local cal ing areas,
- eye problems such as blurred
cal tol -free 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
vision or loss of vision
- severe leg pain
STI/HIV Information Line 1-800-772-2437
Visit: www.health.gov.ab.ca
SX0029
Jan 2006
Thank you to the Contraceptive Health Information Working Group, who developed this resource.
