Emergency  Contraception

            IF YOU HAVE SEXUAL INTERCOURSE AND YOU DO NOT USE

               CONTRACEPTION, OR YOUR CONTRACEPTION FAILS,

                                   YOU CAN BECOME PREGNANT.

There are two methods of emergency contraception -

.  Pills which must be started within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse.

.  Intrauterine Contraceptive Device (IUD) which must be inserted within 5 days. 

If you want to know more about an IUD, talk to us or The Family Planning Association.  

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS (ECP) 

These high dose contraceptive pills contain oestrogen and progestagen. 

They used to be called Morning After Pills (MAP). 

They prevent pregnancy by - 

.  delaying the release of an egg from your ovary until sperm are no longer active 

.  changing the lining of your uterus (womb), preventing implantation of the fertilised  egg. 

The failure rate for the ECP ranges from 1% to 4%.

                   TELL YOUR HEALTH PROFESSIONAL IF YOU ARE ON

                   ANY OTHER MEDICATION BECAUSE YOU MAY NEED

                         EXTRA EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS.

HOW DO I TAKE THEM ? 

You are usually given 2 pills, to be taken in 2 doses, 12 hours apart.   

The first dose must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. 

Timing is very important when taking these pills.  Try to plan ahead so your second dose is at a convenient time.

TAKE THE FIRST PILL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER UNPROTECTED SEXUAL INTERCOURSE -  TAKE THE SECOND PILL EXACTLY TWELVE HOURS LATER. 

Some women feel sick after taking Emergency Contraceptive Pills.  It helps to take them with food. 

You may be given some medication to prevent sickness.

                      IF YOU VOMIT WITHIN 3 HOURS OF TAKING

                           EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS

                                     YOU WILL NEED MORE PILLS

                                            CONTACT THE CLINIC

 WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ? 

Your next period will probably come at the expected time or it may be early or late.  Sometimes it is heavier than usual.

It is important to have a pregnancy test 3 to 4 weeks after you have the ECP whether you have a period or not.

An early morning sample of urine should be tested.  This can be done at a Family Planning Centre or at home.

FUTURE CONTRACEPTION

Emergency Contraceptive Pills do not give you any ongoing protection against pregnancy.  They are only for unprotected sexual intercourse in the last 72 hours.  

                             TALK TO US IF YOU NEED ONGOING CONTRACEPTION 

Medical experts believe that Emergency Contraceptive Pills - 

.  will not affect your chances of getting pregnant later on 

. will not cause harm if you take them several times 

.  will not cause an abortion if you are already pregnant 

If you take the ECP and still become pregnant, there is no evidence the baby will be harmed.

Written and produced by New Zealand Family Planning Association with the assistance of the Public Health Commission 1994.