Emergency Contaception FAQs
What are emergency contraceptive pills (ECP)?
Emergency Contraceptive Pills are also popularly called the “morning-after-pill”. They may be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy – not just the next morning. The sooner you take ECP - the more effective they will work in preventing pregnancy. The most common type of ECP contain progestin, which is one of the hormones found in combined oral contraceptive pills. It is more effective than other forms of ECP and has fewer side effects. ECP does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
There are two forms of ECP, the ECP pill (levonorgestrel) and the Yuzpe method. Plan B™ was the first levonorgestrel product available in Canada. There is now a generic product also available in Canada. You no longer need a doctor’s prescription to obtain the ECP pill. It is available Over-the-Counter (OTC) and you can choose whether or not you would like to have a consultation with a pharmacist.
The other method of ECP, the Yuzpe method, involves high doses of combination birth control pills which contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. Some clinics in Canada will offer this method by giving you Ovral™ pills. Your local health centre or health care provider can give you more information about this method.
What’s the difference between ECP and the abortion pill?
ECP is not the abortion pill, also called RU-486. It can only prevent a pregnancy from happening after unprotected sex if you take it within 5 days. If you are already pregnant, ECP does not harm your fetus and it will not cause an abortion or miscarriage. It is not 100% effective. RU-486 is not available in Canada, although another form of medical abortion is.
If I have a consultation, what might the pharmacist ask me?
If you wish, the pharmacist will do a consultation with you before he/she will dispense ECP. The pharmacist usually has a screening form they use as a guideline. They might ask you your name (they need a name to input into the computer, you don’t have to give your real name if you don’t want to). The pharmacist might ask the date of your last period, when you last had unprotected sex and if you have used ECP before. This information is kept confidential.
You may feel uncomfortable answering these questions at a pharmacy counter – and in some cases the pharmacist may make you feel uncomfortable. Remember that you have a right to take control of your body and choices – you have the right to ECP, and you can choose to end the consultation at any time.
What if the pharmacist refuses to give me ECP?
There have been some rare cases of pharmacists refusing to dispense ECP due to their personal values. Pharmacists have this right as a health professional, but they are also obliged to refer you to a pharmacist who is willing to provide the service and dispense ECP. If you have ever been in the position where a pharmacist has refused to give you ECP and did not refer you to another pharmacist and/or alternative location to obtain ECP please contact the Canadian Pharmacists Association.
Although it may be difficult, try not to be discouraged if this happens to you. Find another pharmacy and/or clinic nearby that will dispense ECP to you – remember it is your right to access ECP.
Can ECP be obtained directly from a pharmacist on someone else’s behalf?
Some pharmacists may distribute ECP without a doctor’s prescription to someone other than the woman requiring ECP, provided that they know the date of her last period and when she last had unprotected sex; however, some pharmacists will only provide ECP to the woman requiring it.
I had unprotected sex, but my partner did not ejaculate in me. Is sperm present in pre-ejaculatory fluid (“pre-cum”)?
There is a very low chance of pregnancy and a few studies indicate that there is no evidence of motile sperm in pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum); however, if you are worried about pregnancy and/or you are not sure if ejaculation occurred, ECP is an option.
When will my next period come after taking ECP?
Your next period may come a little early or a little late and may be heavier or lighter than usual. If you have not started your period after three weeks of taking ECP, you should get a pregnancy test and talk to your health care provider. If you are pregnant and are unsure about it, there are options available to you.
What if I bleed (spotting) after taking ECP?
You may experience vaginal bleeding after taking ECP because of the hormones in the pills. Some bleeding is normal and it will likely go away by itself or after you get your period. Not every woman experiences bleeding after taking ECP.
In some cases, the bleeding is due to another cause. If you experience unusual vaginal bleeding coupled with other symptoms such as abdominal pain and dizziness that last longer than a few days, or the symptoms start getting worse, speak with a health care provider.
What if I take ECP and my period does not come after three weeks?
Using ECP is not 100% effective in preventing a pregnancy. If your period has not started within three weeks after taking ECP, you should take a pregnancy test and consult a health care provider.
Is it okay to use ECP frequently?
ECP is not as effective as other contraceptive methods and should therefore be used as a back up method of birth control. While frequent use of ECP is not recommended, repeated use over time poses no known health risks. Taking ECP won’t have any effect on your future ability to get pregnant. If you'd like to find out more about consistent methods of birth control visit our contraception pages.
I want to find out more about birth control options – what’s the best for me?
There is a wide array of birth control options to choose from. Using a condom in tandem with another birth control method is recommended in order to help prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.