There are two types of emergency
contraceptive pills. One type uses
hormones that are the same type and dose
as hormones used in some kinds of ordinary
birth control pills. These hormones are
called estrogen and progestin (combined
ecps). One brand name called preven is
especially packaged and labeled for
emergency use. But several other brands
packaged for ongoing contraception can be
used as well. About 50% of women who use
this type get nauseated and 20% vomit.
Use of this pill cuts the chance of
pregnancy by 75%. This statement does not
mean that 25% of women using ecps will
become pregnant. Rather, if 100 women had
unprotected intercourse once during the
second or third week of their cycle, about
8 would become pregnant; following
treatment with ecps, only 2 would become
pregnant: a 75% reduction.
The other type of emergency contraceptive
pill contains only the hormone called
progestin (progestin-only ecps). This
type is specially packaged and labeled for
use as the brand name plan b. It is more
effective than the first type, and the
risk of nausea and vomiting is also lower.
If the same 100 women used plan b, only 1
would get pregnant: an 89% reduction.
Some people call emergency contraceptive
pills "morning after pills." but you do
not have to wait until the morning after.
You can start the pills right away or up
to five days after you have had
unprotected sex - that is, sex during
which you did not use birth control or
your birth control may have failed.
Therapy is more effective the earlier it
is initiated within the 120 hour window.
Your health care provider will tell you to
take the pills as soon as possible after
unprotected sex.
Not all brands of birth control pills can
be used for emergency contraception.
Emergency contraceptive pills require a
prescription. Do not use then except
under the care of someone licensed to
prescribe.
Most women can safely use emergency
contraceptive pills, even if they cannot
use birth control pills as their regular
method of birth control.
Http://ec.Princeton.Edu/in
fo/ecp.Html
