What types of emergency contraception are there?

Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy if you have penis-in-vagina intercourse without a condom. Because sperm can live for up to 5 days, it is important that you use emergency contraception within these 5 days.

There are two different categories of emergency contraception:

• Pills - emergency contraception pills are the most commonly used form. You can either buy them over the counter (i.e. Plan B) or you can get a prescription. There are two different types or emergency contraception pills:

  • Levonorgestrel

    • Brand names include Plan B, EContra EZ, Aftera, etc.

    • Can be prescribed or bought over the counter

    • Up to 87% effective if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex

    • May not be effective for people who weigh over 155 pounds

    • Can start or restart birth control as soon as possible after taking

  • Ella

    • Contains Ulipristal Acetate

    • Can be prescribed or bought over the counter

    • Up to 87% effective for 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex

    • May not be effective for people who weigh over 195 pounds

    • Need to wait to start or restart hormonal birth control method until 5 days after unprotected sex

Either emergency contraception pill can have the following side effects:

• Nausea/vomiting

• Cramping

• Breast tenderness

• Headache

• Bloating

• Irregular bleeding within 2 months after taking. For this reason you shouldn’t assume the next bleeding you have is your period.

• IUDs - you can choose between a hormonal or non-hormonal IUD and it would need to be inserted in the clinic by a medical provider.

  • Some benefits of using the IUDs for emergency contraception:

    • Most effective

    • Can use for ongoing contraception

    • Effective regardless of weight

How effective is emergency contraception?

• IUDs are the most effective form of emergency contraception and are up to 99.9% effective for all 5 days after unprotected sex. 

• Levonorgestrel pills are up to 87% effective if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex

• Ella pills are up to 87% effective for 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex

How can I make sure it worked?

Regardless of which type of emergency contraception you decide to use you should take a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after the unprotected sex.

How frequently can I take emergency contraception pills?

• Levonorgestrel emergency contraception pills can be taken as frequently as needed. That means you can take them after each instance of unprotected sex. Though, due to the side effects and disruption of the menstrual cycle, this may not be practical. If you rely on your bleeding to determine where you are in your cycle, keep in mind that these pills can change your bleeding and it may not return to your normal bleeding pattern for up to two months after taking it. 

• Ella can be taken only once per menstrual cycle. Ella should also not be taken within 5 days before or after taking levonorgestrel pills or any other birth control method containing progestin.