ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

Emergency Contraceptive Pills—An Emergency Option for Preventing Pregnancy after Sex: A Brochure by and for Young Women

Also available in [PDF] format and Spanish [HTML].

Have you heard? Do you know?

We have a birth control option that can be used AFTER unprotected sex!

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS … learn how to safely prevent pregnancy—up to five days AFTER unprotected sex!!!

SURPRISED?

You're not alone! Most women—young and old alike—don't know that emergency contraceptive pills exist. And, of the few women who know that they exist, most don't know that emergency contraceptive pills are a birth control method to be used AFTER unprotected sex!*

Read on…

I Have Never Heard of Emergency Contraceptive Pills! What Are They?

Emergency contraceptive pills are also known as the morning-after pill and postcoital contraception, but the term emergency contraceptive pills is more accurate because they can be used any time up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.

How Do Emergency Contraceptive Pills Work?

Emergency contraceptive pills should be taken within five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex—with the first dose taken as soon as possible. The pills may still be somewhat effective even after 120 hours, so you may still be able to take them after the 120-hour time frame to reduce your risk of getting pregnant.

Emergency contraceptive pills do not cause abortion! In fact, experts agree that, because emergency contraception prevents pregnancy, it reduces the need for abortion. At the same time, taking emergency contraceptive pills involves making a decision based on your own beliefs. So think carefully and talk to others who may help you decide. Then, make your own decision.

I Don't Want to Become Pregnant … When Should I Consider Taking Emergency Contraceptive Pills?

If you have had unprotected sex and don't want to become pregnant, you may be scared, confused, and overwhelmed. But remember—you can take emergency contraceptive pills when:

1. The condom broke, leaked, or slipped off!
2. He didn't "pull out" in time!
3. Neither one of you used birth control!
4. You realize you started your new pack of birth control pills more than two days late!
5. You realize you missed taking your birth control pills for two or more days!
6. You missed the deadline for your Depo shot (contraceptive injection)!
7. Your diaphragm or cervical cap was inserted wrong, slipped out of place, was removed too soon, or was torn!
8. You miscalculated your safe days!
9. You were raped or sexually assaulted or forced to have sex!

How and Where Can I Get Emergency Contraceptive Pills—When I Need Them?

If you have had unprotected sex in the past five days (120 hours) and are trying to get emergency contraception, chances are you're worried, maybe even panicked. Three of the easiest, fastest ways to get a prescription for emergency contraception:

1. Call your regular doctor, student health center, or local family planning clinic.
2. Call the toll-free, confidential 24-hour Emergency Contraception Hotline, 1-888-NOT-2-LATE, or visit http://www.not-2-late.com to find someone near you who provides emergency contraception.
3. Call 1-800-230-PLAN or visit http://www.teenwire.org for the nearest Planned Parenthood clinic.

If you call a doctor, clinic, or hospital emergency room requesting emergency contraceptive pills and are told "no," don't become discouraged.  Remember …

• You have a right to information and to have your questions about emergency contraception answered.
• You're acting responsibly. You're looking for emergency contraception to avoid becoming pregnant.

Just keep on calling!!! Or, ask your boyfriend, best friend, parent, or another trusted adult to call for you.

How and Where Can I Get Emergency Contraceptive Pills—Before I Need Them?

Having emergency contraceptive pills before you need them is really important because you may not be able to find someone who can prescribe them when you need them—especially at night, on weekends, or when you're out of town. It can be easier—especially on your emotions—to get them before you need them!

Plus, if you get emergency contraceptive pills before you need them, you'll …

1. Be prepared to take them when you need them.
2. Be able to talk with your boyfriend, friends, and/or parents about using emergency contraception as "backup birth control."
3. Be able to schedule an appointment with a trustworthy, affordable, and conveniently located doctor at a time that is good for you.
4. Actually have emergency contraception on hand just in case!

So, schedule an appointment today and ask for emergency contraceptive pills! Some doctors will give you the pills right away and others will give you a prescription for them. If you are given a prescription for emergency contraceptive pills, go to the pharmacy to fill it right away. If and when you need to take the emergency contraception, be sure to check the expiration date!

How Much Will I Have to Pay?

Emergency contraceptive pills cost between $8 and $25—as little as a new CD. You may also have to pay for an appointment. Fortunately, most family planning clinics offer discounts or free services to teens. Some doctors may provide a prescription for emergency contraceptive pills right over the phone, especially if you're already a patient!

You do not need a pelvic exam and/or pregnancy test before getting a prescription for these pills. However, some doctors may insist on doing a pelvic exam and/or pregnancy test before providing a prescription.

What Will Happen When I Take Emergency Contraceptive Pills?

Emergency contraceptive pills may make you nauseous, dizzy, or tired. You may vomit and have a headache and sore breasts. These side effects are temporary and should last less than a day or two.

It's normal for your next period to be a few days late or early. It may be heavier, lighter, or more spotty than usual. If your period doesn't come, you should take a pregnancy test.

Is Emergency Contraception Effective?

Yes—especially the sooner you take them after unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptive pills can reduce your risk of pregnancy by 75-94 percent.

Remember—

Emergency contraceptive pills provide no protection against STIs, including HIV, and are less effective than some other forms of birth control. Using regular birth control pills and condoms, or combining the contraceptive injection (Depo-Provera) with condoms, is the best way to prevent pregnancy and STIs.

Can I Get Emergency Contraception without My Parents' Knowledge or Consent If I Am under 18?

Yes. But, some doctors may require your parent's consent before (or after) they give you a prescription—even though they may not be required to do so by law. If you are concerned about your parents finding out, ask the doctor if the emergency contraception and appointment are confidential.

If you contact a provider who requires your parents' consent, ask for a referral to another doctor who will provide confidential services. Or, you may want to call 1-800-230-PLAN for the nearest Planned Parenthood clinic. All Planned Parenthood clinics provide confidential services to teens.

Also, be aware that if you use your parent's health insurance, your parent will probably receive an information form or a bill for the emergency contraception and related services.

What Can I Do Now that I Know About Emergency Contraception?

Now that you know about emergency contraceptive pills, spread the word!!!

• Tell your friends, write a column for your school or local newspaper, and educate your school's nurses, guidance counselors, health education teachers, and class advisors.
• Find out if student health center provides emergency contraceptive pills. If not, start a petition and/or organize a demonstration to call attention to the fact that emergency contraception isn't available.
• Make a presentation at a meeting of people who should know about emergency contraception, such as your school's student government association, school board meeting, parent-teacher association (PTA), etc.

For more information, check out these Web sites!

• http://www.not-2-late.com—provides accurate information about emergency contraception and a directory of providers in your area.
• http://www.teenwire.com—gives great information on emergency contraception, safer sex, and more. And, gives referrals to local Planned Parenthood clinics.
• http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu—has loads of questions and answers on all kinds of relationship and sexual health issues, including emergency contraceptive pills.
• http://www.advocatesforyouth.org—provides great information about sexual health issues as well as a fact sheet about emergency contraception to give to school personnel and/or parents.

Sources:

1. Kann L et al. Youth risk behavior surveillance, United States, 1999. CDC Surveillance Summaries 2000;49(SS-5):1-94.
2. Abma JC et al. Fertility, Family Planning, and Women's Health: New Data from the 1995 National Survey of Family Growth. [Vital & Health Statistics, Series 23, no. 19]. Hyattsville, Md.: NCHS, 1997.
3. Kahn JG et al. Pregnancies averted among U.S. teenagers by the use of contraceptives. Fam Plann Perspect 1999;31:29-34.
4. Darroch JE, Singh S. Why Is Teenage Pregnancy Declining? The Roles of Abstinence, Sexual Activity, and Contraceptive Use. [Occasional report, no. 1] NY: Alan Guttmacher Institute, 1999.
5. Henshaw SK. Unintended pregnancy in the United States. Fam Plann Perspect 1998;30:24-9+.
6. Trussell J et al. Emergency contraceptive pills: a simple proposal to reduce unintended pregnancies. Fam Plann Perspect 1992;24:269-73.

* Vaginal, oral, and anal intercourse are all "sex." Because emergency contraception can only prevent pregnancy, "unprotected sex" in this pamphlet is only talking about "unprotected vaginal intercourse." If you have sex of any kind without using a condom, you may be at risk of infection with STIs, including HIV. Consider getting tested for STIs. Call the toll-free, confidential 24-hour National STD and AIDS Hotlines, 1-800-342-2437, for information about STIs and referral to free or low-cost clinics near you.

This publication was supported by a grant from the Program on Reproductive Health and Rights of the Open Society Institute.

© 2003, Advocates for Youth
Written by Lindsay Brown, Ammie N. Feijoo, Stephanie Kvasnik, & Jennifer Augustine
ISBN: 0-913843-30-X

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