What is ECEmergency Contraception
Accidents Happen - the condom broke, you forgot to take your birth control pill, or maybe you didn't plan or want to have sex.
Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) also known as the "morning after pill" offer a back-up plan to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or failed contraception.
You are at risk of pregnancy if:
- You had sex and didn’t use any form of birth control.
- Your condom broke, slipped or leaked
- Your diaphragm or cap slipped/dislodged, was removed too early (less than 6 hours), or was found to be torn.
- You missed two or more birth control pills and/or had a delay in starting a new pack and had unprotected sex.
- You are using a natural birth control method such as the fertility awareness method and miscalculated your fertile period .
- You were late for your injectable birth control shot and had unprotected sex.
- You were two or more days late starting your new vaginal ring cycle or contraceptive patch cycle and had unprotected sex.
- Someone forced you to have sex with them & you were not protected.
- You were drunk or high and are not sure whether you had sex and/or if you used any form of contraception
When taken within 5 days of unprotected sex, ECP reduces the risk of pregnancy. However, the sooner you take it, the better it works – so don’t delay. If it has been more than 7 days since you had unprotected sex and you do not get your menstrual period on time, take a pregnancy test. If you are pregnant, there are options available to you. ECP is not an abortion pill. Once a pregnancy has occurred, ECP will not work.
There are two types of emergency contraception:
- Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) have been approved for purchase Over the Counter (OTC), and are also available directly from a pharmacist without a doctor's prescription (even in advance), or from your local sexual health clinic or health care provider. For more information on where to get emergency contraceptive pills.
- Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD). For more information on using a copper IUD as emergency contraception.
ECP does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Only condoms (female or male), dental dams (for oral sex on the vulva or anus) or abstinence can help prevent both sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. Other forms of birth control only prevent pregnancy; however, certain contraceptives can be used together to help prevent both STIs and pregnancy.
Get more information on Emergency Contraception:
Call the CFSH national emergency contraception toll-free information line at 1-888-270-7444.
