What You Should Know About EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

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• Prevents unplanned pregnancy
• Affordable
• Available
• Safe

What if my period is late following ECP?

Most of the time your period will occur on the usual day. Sometimes it may be earlier or a few days late. If your period is delayed for over 10 days consult your doctor and perform a pregnancy test because ECP is not 100% effective (as all other methods).

Intra Uterine Device ( IUD )

• Inserted within 5 days of unprotected sexual intercourse.
• 99% effective.
• Especially suitable for married women.

Who are the best candidates for Emergency contraception

1. If you are not on any contraception method.
2. If a contraception accident or misuse has occurred.

• Condom rupture, slippage, tear or wrong use
• Failed coitus interrupts
• Miscalculation of safe period
• IUD expulsion
• Late DMPA
• Missed oral contraceptive pill

3. Cases of rape and sexual assault.

What you should know about Emergency Contraception?

1. Method to be used by women after an act of unprotected sexual contact, to prevent an unplanned / unwanted pregnancy.
2. Available methods.

• Emergency Contraceptive Pill
• Intra Uterine Contraceptive Device - IUD

Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP)

• Contains Progesterone.
• Should be used within 72 hours (3 days) of exposure.
• Type of Pills

Progesterone only Pill (Postinor 1 & 2) Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill

How does it work?

• It prevents or delays the release of an egg from the ovary.
• It does not cause an abortion.

How to use ECP?

• Postinor 2 - take both tablets together within 72hrs of unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Mithuri - take 4 tablets as soon as possible and another 4 tablets after 12hrs from the 1st dose. Both doses should be taken within 72hrs of unprotected sexual intercourse.
• If taken within 24hrs the failure rate is less.
• If vomiting occurs within 2 hours of drug intake, the dose must be repeated. (If it occurs after 2hrs repeat dose is not required).
• Swallow tablets after a glass of milk to minimize vomiting.
• Can be used at any time within the menstrual cycle.

What are the advantages?

1.Prevents an unplanned pregnancy

• 98% effective in women who use it properly. (However, please note that the above mentioned dose is to cover one incident of unprotected sex).

2.Highly effective

3.Cost effective

4.Breast Feeding

• Safe in breast feeding mothers.

5.Availability

• In pharmacies around the country.

Are there any disadvantages ?

• Should not be used as a regular family planning method.
• Should not be used if you are pregnant.
• Does not protect you from Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Side Effects

• Nausea and vomiting
• Irregular menstrual bleeding
• Breast tenderness
• Headache
• Early or delayed periods

Myths about ECP

ECP is not effective if several acts of intercourse have occurred in a row, at the same time?
NO. ECP is equally effective after one or several acts of intercourse in a row provided that all the acts have taken place within 72 hours preceding the intake of the drug.

ECP will act as an efficient contraceptive method until the next menstrual period?
NO. So it is strongly recommended to use a barrier method at each intercourse until the next period and start using a regular suitable contraceptive method from then onwards.