Emergency Contraceptive Pills(ECPs)

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What you need to Know ?

What is the Emergency Conraception ?

    Emergency conraception is a way preventing pregnancy if you have had sex without using cintraception or if you have had a contraceptive accident (such as a broken condom) or you failed to use a regular contraceptives.

    The most common method is Emergency Contraceptive pills (ECPs). In some cases, a copper IUD also can be used emergency contraception.

How do ECPs work ?

    Depending on when you use ECP during your monthly cycle, the pills will either stop the release of an egg, prevent fertilization of an egg, or stop a fertilized egg from becoming attached in your uterus. Pregnancy occurs only after the egg has become attached in your uterus. Once this has happened, ECPs are no longer effective.

When can I use ECPs ?

    The first ECP dose must be taken within 72 hours (three days) after unproteched sex. A second does is taken 12 hours after the first dose.

How effective are ECPs ?

    ECPs prevent most pregnancies but they are not 100% effective. The treatment fails in approximately 2% of women using ECPs correctly. If a women used ECPs frequently, her chance ofbecoming pregnant would be much higher than if she used regular contraceptives. This iswhy ECps are not a substitute for regular contraceptive.

Are ECPs safe ?

    Most women can use ECPs safely. Health care providers have safely prescribed ECPs since the mid 1970s. Talk to your health care provider about ECPs to learn whether there is any reason you cannot use them.

Do ECPs cause side effects ?

    ECPs sometimes cause temporary side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, cramping, or breast tenderness. These side effects generally do not last more than 24 hours.

What should I do after using ECPs ?

    You will not see any immediate signs showing whether or not the ECPs worked. Your menstrual period should come on time (or a few days early or late). If your period is more than a week later than expected, or if you have any cause for concern, see your health care provider.

If the ECPs do not work, and I become pregnant, will the pregnancy be normal ?

    Based on available information, there is no reason to believe that the pregnancy would be abnormal or the baby hurt in any way.

Important : If you have unprotected sex after using ECPs, they will not protect you. Use a regular contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy in the future.

 

ECPs should be taken only on Medical advice or under medical supervision.
Frequent use of ECPs is not recommended use regular contraceptives.

   

FOR Emergency Use Only

Emergency Contraceptives should not be used routinely to prevent pregnancy. Regular contraceptives (condoms, pills, injectables, IUDs, sterilization, etc.) are more effective and have fewer side effects. If you want more information about regular contraceptives, or if you are having trouble using a method, ask your health care provider for help choosing a method that works for you.

 

  

 

How do I use ECPs ?

1) Take one 1 tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Make sure to take the first dose at a time when it will be convenient to take the second dose 12 hours later.

Important : If more than 72 hours (three days) have passed since you had unprotected sex, do not start using ECPs. See your health care provider as soon as possible to discuss other option.

2) 12 hours after taking the first tablet, take the remaining tablet.

3) If you vomit within two hours of taking a dose, take another tablet as soon as possible. If the vomiting occurred after the first dose, you will still need to take second dose 12 hours later. (Your provider can give you extra pills). To reduce the nausea, take the tablets after eating.

If you vomit more than two hours after taking the pills, do not worry. The medication is already in your system.

 

Emergency Contraception
and Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

ECPs do not protect against AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs or VD) like syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and herpes. If you are worried about whether you may have been infected with AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases, talk to your health care provider about your concerns and ask how you can protect yourself in the future.

 

                                Department of Family Welfare
                        Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
                                       Government of India
                                        New Delhi - 110011