Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) contain hormones that reduce the risk
of pregnancy when taken in two doses, with the first dose typically taken
within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse or in case of contraceptive
failure,
and the second dose taken 12 hours after the first one. Studies have shown
ECPs reduce the risk of pregnancy when started within 120 hours of unprotected
intercourse, but the sooner the dosing begins, the more effective the treatment.
Because ECPs have a five-day window of effectiveness and require multiple
doses of pills, the popular term “morning- after pill” is misleading.
Almost every woman who
needs emergency contraception can safely use ECPs. Although ECP’s will not harm the fetus, women who are already pregnant should
not use ECPs because this drug is ineffective at terminating established pregnancies.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), “Emergency contraceptive
pills are not effective if the woman is pregnant; they act by delaying or inhibiting
ovulation, and/or altering tubal transport of sperm and/or ova (thereby inhibiting
fertilization), and/or altering the endometrium (thereby inhibiting implantation)”.
A recent study found that most often, ECPs reduce the risk of pregnancy by
inhibiting ovulation. Using emergency contraceptive pills will not affect
a woman’s ability
to become pregnant in the future. Emergency contraception prevents unplanned
pregnancy, which is the best way to prevent the need for abortion; it itself
is not a form of abortion.
For questions, contact your doctor, or call the GVSU Campus Health at 331-2435
or Planned Parenthood at 774-0516. All information is confidential.
For more information please visit:
Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org,
The Consortium for Emergency Contraception, www.cecinfo.org,
Emergency Contraception Resource Guide, www.choice.org/ecp.
