Emergency Contraception Facts
Great News about EC!
The FDA has voted to recommend Emergency Contraception for over the counter availability. This would mean that women would not have to get a prescription for the pill, which is most effective if it is taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. This will make access much easier and less stressful for women, and if the recommendation is accepted, research has projected it could prevent 1.7 million unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions each year in the United States.
The committees agreed that EC meets all customary criteria for over-the-counter availability, including low toxicity, no potential for overdose or addiction, self-indication of need, uniform dosage and no important drug interactions. Virtually all major medical and health care organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, supported making EC available over the counter.
What is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency Contraception is designed to preven pregnancy after unprotected
vaginal intercourse.
Emergency Contraception is provided in two ways:
-Emergency hormonal contraception- does of birth control pills (must
be taken within five days (120 hours) of unprotected sex and it is better to take sooner rather than later).
-Insertion of an IUD (intrauterine device)- can be inserted to prevent
pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex.
Emergency Contraception is for use only if a woman is sure she is not
already pregnant from a previous act of intercourse. It prevents pregnancy
by preventing ovulation, fertilization, or implantation. It will not cause
an abortion.
How well does Emergency Contraception Work?
Emergency Contraception Pills reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent
if taken within 72 hours.
Emergency IUD insertion reduces the risk of pregnancy by 99.9 percent.
How safe is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception is safe. It is even safer than the pill or other hormonal birth control methods, as the hormones are not in your body as long as continuously using hormonal birth control. Therefore, emergency contraception does not carry the same risks as hormonal birth control, even though they use the same hormones.
After more than 30 years of use, emergency contraception has never been reported to have serious complications, even with repeated use.
There is some risk of increased nausea with emergency contraception usage. One may also experience: breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, dizziness, and/or headaches.
Where can I get Emergency Contraception?
Planned Parenthood University Clinic- 4500 9th Ave. NE, Suite 324, 632-2498,
$26.00*
Planned Parenthood Capitol Hill Clinic- 2001 E. Madison, 328-7700 $26.00*
University of Washington, Hall Health- 685-1011, $10.20
Bartell's in U. Village and on the Ave- 525-0705, 632-3514, $35.00
*financial assistance available
Check out http://www.plannedparenthood.org
for information on birth control, Emergency Contraception, Mifepristone
(RU-486), and medical and legal history of reproductive choice.
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