Please Visit Our Sponsors That Make this Site Possible

HOW IT WORKS:

Prevents implantation.  A specific number of estrogen/progesterone birth control pills are taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.  Also called "Morning After Pill".  Another method is insertion of a Copper-T IUD within 5 days of unprotected intercourse.  A new product, Preven®, the first ever FDA approved "Morning After Pill", is available with the correct pills and dosage plus a pregnancy test in one package.

EFFECTIVENESS:

Historically: 90-95% for the pill and IUD; Prevan™ studies show 75.4%

AVERAGE COST:

$25-45 for the pill; Preven® is between $30 - $50 IUD $300 - $750

ADVANTAGES:

Can reduce the risk of pregnancy if the condom breaks; your diaphragm or cervical cap becomes dislodged; or you had unprotected intercourse.

DISADVANTAGES:

Can only be prescribed by a physician. Can only be used for emergency situations.  Cannot be used if you had unprotected previous unprotected sex within ten days.  May cause nausea (50%), vomiting, bleeding, breast tenderness, headache's.  Very rare side effects include: blood clots, heart attacks, stroke, liver problems, high blood pressure.  Can cause birth defects if pregnancy occurs or in the case of the IUD- ectopic (tubal) pregnancy.  Rarely ectopic pregnancy with the pills.  Those women who should not use this method is the same as for the Pill and IUD.

HOW TO USE IT:

Two 50 mmg birth control pills are taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, then two more are taken 12 hours later.  Preven® comes with a pregnancy test that you are encouraged to do before taking the pills.  The pills will not prevent an already occurred pregnancy from continuing.  A Copper-T IUD is placed within 2 - 7 days of unprotected intercourse.

YOU NEED TO CALL A HEALTH CARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF:

MORNING AFTER PILL You experience any of the following: do not get your period; severe abdominal pain; spotting; very light period; dizziness; or lightheadedness.

IUD You experience any of the following: your period never comes; your period is late or very light; your period is extremely heavy; continuous lower abdominal cramping; fever or chills; you can no longer feel the string; or you feel the tip of the IUD at the cervix.

Additional Information: Graphics, correct usage and important links for this method of Birth Control.

To Return to the Contraceptive Guide Main Menu,  Click the Button and this Window Will Close Visit Other Areas of this Site by Clicking the Icons Women's Health Index Physician Page Pregnancy Childbirth Spirituality Published Articles Home Page Site Index

© 1997-99: MJ Bovo. All rights reserved.