Emergency Contraception

Emergency Contraception
Disclaimer: ***The information in this article is not meant to substitute for the advice of a professionally trained medical professional. Health related questions are best addressed by your physician/nurse practitioner and NOTHING on the internet should substitute or replace their advice!***


Ooops! Did the condom break? Did it slip? Did you have one too many martinis (or margaritas) and just didn’t remember to use protection? Millions of women world wide are faced with similar scenarios yearly and seek a mechanism to prevent unintended pregnancy.

The mechanics of fertilization

For pregnancy to occur, coitus (sex) must happen up to two days prior to ovulation or on the day of ovulation itself. This is because sperm (which are called spermatozoa) only retain their fertilization capabilities for 48 hours after sex and the egg (ovum at this stage) is only capable of being fertilized within 24 hours after ovulation. Ovulation, however, does not always occur at the exact time every month.

For a women with the standard 28 day cycle, ovulation can occur anywhere from day 12-16 of your cycle. Therefore, it is generally thought that a woman with regular cycles has a risk of becoming pregnant is unprotected sex occurs 5 days prior to ovulation or on the day of ovulation itself. . . . giving the average women with a 28 day regular cycle a 6 day window each month where pregnancy could in theory occur. *

*The fertilization window above only pertains to a woman with 28 day, regular cycles. If your cycles are longer or shorter, or irregular, your period of fertilization will be different. Basically, if you are worried that you are pregnant and you have no idea when you ovulate (which is the majority of women) go get Plan B. It’s not going to hurt you to take it, but an unintended pregnancy could alter your life plans.

How emergency contraception works

So as you can imagine, if you have unprotected sex during your “fertile” window (midcycle) and you are not trying to become pregnant and not already on a form of birth control you might decide to try something as a “last resort” before becoming pregnant.

Plan B (0.75mg Levonorgestrel) is a progestin only pill. Plan B is believed to work by preventing ovulation, which means that the sperm would have nothing to fertilize, thus preventing pregnancy. Plan B does not cause an abortion and will not disrupt an already established pregnancy. It is most effective if started within 72 hours of unprotected sex. If you are age 18 and up you DO NOT NEED A PERSCRIPTION for Plan B. Simply go to the pharmacist counter and ask for it! If you are under 18, you will need to find your nearest healthcare professional and ask them to write you a prescription.

If more than 72 hours have passed, but less than 7 days, another option to prevent pregnancy involves the emergency placement of an IUD (intrauterine device). A copper IUD is an effective method of emergency contraception for up to seven days. The copper IUD will not prevent fertilization because it does not contain a hormone. However, it works by preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg into the lining of the uterus, which is required for a pregnancy to become established. An IUD must be placed by a qualified health professional, so you will need to make an appointment, but it is worth it if you still have doubts about your risk of pregnancy and are within the 7 day window.


Why am I using emergency contraception?

Though many women fear pregnancy, not enough attention is given to the risk of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, etc. The same way you put yourself at risk for needing Plan B is the same way you put yourself at risk of getting any combination of these infections. Plan B, IUDs, birth control, etc do not prevent sexually transmitted infections! Using a condom each and every time is the only way (other than abstinence which is 100% full proof) of getting an STD and helping to prevent pregnancy. You’re worth it!

***The information in this article is not meant to substitute for the advice of a professionally trained medical professional. Health related questions are best addressed by your physician/nurse practitioner and NOTHING on the internet should substitute or replace their advice!***
© 2008 CGees