>Personal Health >Womens Health >Family Planning> Methods >Emergency Contraceptive

Emergency Contraceptive

Effectiveness:

• Typical use: 75%
• Perfect use: 89%

 

Advantages:

• Can be used up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex; although it is most effective if taken within 12 hours after unprotected sex.

Disadvantages:

• Must be used within the first 72 hours after
• Side effects: (usually subside within 1 to 2 days) nausea, vomiting, fatigue, breast tenderness, headache, abdominal pain, and dizziness
• Necessary follow-up in 21 days
• ECPs are meant for one-time emergency use and they don’t work as well as other kinds of birth control.
• Does not prevent the spread of HIV and other STD's
• Used after unprotected sex.
• Will not prevent pregnancy if a girl has unprotected sex after taking the ECPs.
• You may still get pregnant.
• Will not work if you are already pregnant.