Emergency Contraception Pills
Emergency Contraception Pills
AKA
Morning After Pill, Plan B
Efficacy
>85% if taken within 3 days of unprotected sex
STI protection
No
Routine
Every time
Pros
Easy to access, no script required, very short-acting, delays ovulation, progestogen only option available.
Cons
Doesn’t work if taken after ovulation, time sensitive, may disrupt menstrual cycle, can affect or be affected by taking hormonal contraception at the same time.
How do Emergency Contraception Pills work?
There are 2 different types of oral emergency contraception; they’re both usually referred to as “the morning after pill.” The reason they’re called this is that their effectiveness drops depending on how long after unprotected sex you use it, so ideally you want to take them no later than the morning after unprotected sex.
To be as effective as possible oral emergency contraception must be used as soon after the sexual act as possible. However you can use this method up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex, as long as you’re not breastfeeding. If you’re breastfeeding, you can still use this method but the only Emergency Contraceptive Pill you’ll be able to take and continue breastfeeding (not requiring you to express and discard milk) is only effective for up to 3 days (72 hours) after the sexual act.
Both types of morning after pill work by preventing or delaying your body from releasing an egg, which means any viable sperm will be out of your body by the time an egg is released. However, if you’ve already released an egg, Emergency Contraception Pills may not prevent a pregnancy.
Australia currently has highly limited availability of the 120 Emergency Contraception option, so it may be difficult to obtain.
Oral emergency contraception is often confused with the medical abortion drug. They are not the same; taking emergency contraception is not a form of abortion.
Tip: There is also a third, non-hormonal option for emergency contraception – having a Copper IUD inserted within 5 days of having unprotected sex.
How do I use Emergency Contraception?
Step 1. After have unprotected sex, as soon as possible, make your way to a pharmacy and ask for emergency contraception.
Step 2. The pharmacist will provide you with the medication. Take it orally with water.
Step 3. Alternatively, make an appointment to have a Copper IUD inserted
Explore more methods
MALE CONDOM
(Rubber, Prophylactic)
Condoms are a barrier that’s placed on an erect penis to prevent contact with the vulva and vaginal canal.
FEMALE CONDOM
(Femidom)
The female condom wraps the inside of the vaginal canal and covers the vulva, preventing a penis from coming into contact with either.
DIAPHRAGM
(Caya)
A diaphragm is a small cap that sits at the entrance to your cervix and prevents sperm from getting through.
THE PILL
(Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, Contraceptive Pill)
The pill contains oestrogen and progestogen which work together to prevent ovulation, and to thicken cervical mucous; preventing sperm from getting through.
THE MINI PILL
(Progestogen Only Pill)
The mini pill contains progestogen which prevents pregnancy by thickening the cervical mucous, stopping sperm from getting through into the uterus.
VAGINAL RING
(Contraceptive Ring, Combined Hormonal Ring)
A thin band that contains oestrogen and progestogen which work together to prevent ovulation, preventing sperm from getting through.
IMPLANT
(Rod, Bar, Contraceptive Implant)
A small bar inserted into the upper arm that slowly releases progestogen into your bloodstream; preventing ovulation, and thickening the cervical mucous; preventing sperm from getting through.
INJECTION
(Jab)
A 150mg dose of progestogen hormone, it prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucous which prevents sperm from getting through.
HORMONAL IUD
(Intrauterine System, IUS)
Releases small quantities of progestogen to your reproductive system. This thickens the mucous of your cervix, so sperm can’t get through.
COPPER IUD
(IUD, Non-hormonal IUD, The Coil)
Releases very low levels of copper ions which affect sperm’s ability to move. Also stops fertilised eggs from implanting in the uterine wall.
TUBAL LIGATION
(Getting your tubes tied, Female Sterilisation)
Surgically creating a block so any potential sperm can’t gain passage along the fallopian tubes.
VASECTOMY
(The Snip, Male Sterilisation)
A vasectomy involves cutting and separating the vas deferens, which are the tubes that move sperm from the testicles to the penis.
FERTILITY AWARENESS
(FAM, Rhythm Method, Calendar Method, Period tracking)
A system of monitoring when ovulation occurs and making sure unprotected sex only occurs on days of minimal fertility.
WITHDRAWAL METHOD
(Pull out method, Coitus Interruptus)
The act of withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculating.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION PILLS
(Morning After Pill)
Works by preventing or delaying ovulation, ensuring any viable sperm will be out of the body by the time an egg is released.