Emergency Contraception is birth control taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. It is usually comprised of synthetic hormones that act to prevent ovulation or fertilization. It is not an abortion.

There are several different forms of EC, the most common of which is known as Plan B® (the “Morning-After Pill”). Plan B® is the only product currently marketed specifically for emergency contraceptive use. Plan B® consists of two (2) high-dose progestin-only pills; the first should be taken as soon after unprotected intercourse as possible and the second is to be taken 12 hours after the first.

Plan B® prevents or delays ovulation (the time in a woman’s cycle when her ovaries release an egg), making it harder for the egg to be fertilized by the sperm. Plan B® does not prevent an already fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall and does not in any way cause the egg to abort. If a woman happens to already be pregnant, EC will have no effect on the pregnancy.

Anyone can find herself in the position of needing EC. Reasons to use Plan B® include:

• The condom broke
• The diaphragm slipped
• Unprotected sex
• Rape

Although side-effects may occur, they are not dangerous and usually go away after a couple of days. A woman may experience none or any of the following:

• Nausea or vomiting. Try the following to relax an upset stomach: eat a snack; drink a glass of milk or some peppermint tea; take ginger tablets
• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Sore breasts
• Irregular bleeding