Emergency Contraception

Bay County Health Department's Family Planning Clinic provides emergency contraception. 

Emergency contraception refers to a pregnancy prevention method initiated after unprotected sexual intercourse.  A regimen of high-dose combined oral contraceptives or a regimen of progestin-only pills can be used.  The first dose is begun within five days (120 hours) of unprotected intercourse, followed by a second dose 12 hours later.  This method is 75% - 95% effective in the prevention of pregnancy, dependent on timing.

YOU SHOULD CONSIDER EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION WHEN:

• No contraceptive method was used during sexual intercourse.
• A male condom slipped, broke, or leaked.
• A diaphragm or cervical cap was inserted incorrectly, dislodged, removed too early or was torn.
• Two or more of the first seven combined oral contraceptive pills were missed, or four or more pills during the second week were missed.
• A female condom was inserted or removed incorrectly.
• "Safe" days while using natural family planning methods of contraception were miscalculated.
• Withdrawl did not happen in time.
• An IUD was partially or totally expelled.
• Rape has occurred.

Emergency contraception therapy is safe and can be used by almost anyone.  Nausea and vomiting may occur with the methods containing estrogen.  These can be minimized by taking the pills with food or by taking an anti-emetic.  If vomiting occurs within 30 minutes of taking the dose, contact the clinic.  Nausea and vomiting should not occur with the progestin-only pills.

After using emergency contraception, your period may be irregular.  If you do not have a period within four weeks after taking emergency contraception, return to the clinic for a pregnancy test.

You should not rely on emergency contraception as your regular method of contraception.  It is less effective for preventing pregnancy than other birth control methods.