No matter how careful you are, you might find yourself in need of emergency birth control. It could be that you forgot to take a daily pill or that your normal method of birth control failed. It happens. You have a few choices to consider.
You need to know your options before the situation is an emergency. With most types, you have to act quickly for it to be effective. The important thing is that you choose the correct emergency contraception for you.
How Emergency Birth Control Works
Emergency birth prevention works in one of two ways. It either prevents or delays the release of an egg. It also might prevent the sperm from fertilizing an egg. Either way has proven highly effective when used properly.
Who Should Take Emergency Birth Control?
Women who should take emergency birth control are those whose birth control failed or who had unprotected sex. If you suspect birth control failure, this method is usually preferable to the wait and see method. As long as it is within five days of the failure or unprotected act, although most recommend you take it as soon as possible.
How Often Do Contraceptives Fail?
How often they fail depends on the type of contraceptive. The rhythm method fails most often, around 24% of the time. The lowest failure rate of around 1% occurs with an IUD. Typical birth control methods such as pills and shots, when taken or used properly, have a failure rate of between 18% to 6% depending on the method.
Emergency Pregnancy Prevention Types
Emergency pregnancy prevention has come a long way since its invention in the 1970s. Women now have several options to choose.
Ulipristal acetate
Ulipristal acetate is also called Ella. It consists of one pill and can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex. Ulipristal acetate is only available only through a doctor. Ella is one of the most effective forms of emergency birth control pills.
Plan B
Plan B is another single pill emergency pill. This pill does not require a prescription and comes in several different brands, including generics.
Next Choice
Next choice is an emergency contraceptive that uses two doses. You can take both doses at the same time or 12 hours apart depending on the companies recommendations.
Intrauterine Devices
Intrauterine devices or IUDs are tiny T-shaped devices that a doctor implants into your cervix. The small amount of copper in this device prevents implantation. You can either have it removed after your first period or leave it as a birth control method.
Birth Control Pills
Although it is not generally recommended, you can also take high doses of regular birth control pills. You absolutely must call your doctor for the correct dosage since too little will do nothing, and too much can cause serious complications.
Always follow the instructions in the package or given to you by a medical professional exactly. Most incidents of emergency pregnancy prevention failure are due to taking it the wrong way or too late.
You have options if your normal method should fail. You should choose the emergency preventative method that you feel is right for you and your situation.