The consistent use of a contraceptive before sex is the best way to protect yourself from an unwanted pregnancy.
But what if:
- you were forced to have sex
- a condom broke or slipped off
- you did not use any birth control
- your diaphragm slipped out of place
- you had sex unexpectedly
- you forgot to take your birth control pills
Even with all the options for birth control, no method is 100% effective. Accidents can happen. A condom can tear, a woman may forget to take her pill, or she has had sex when she didn't plan to-or want to. Emergency contraception is a safe, effective back-up birth control method that may reduce the risk of a pregnancy even after sex. A woman can take the first dose of EC (also referred to as the "morning after pill") up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. It requires two doses taken 12 hours apart. If taken within this time frame EC is very effective in reducing the chance of pregnancy.
At Colby we use Plan B for emergency contraception and Plane B has very few if any side effects..
Two EC products are on the market. Plan B and Preven. Both contain hormones that are found in birth control pills (BCP) and both work to prevent a pregnancy in the same way that BCP do, by delaying or inhibiting ovulation. Plan B is the type of EC available at Colby's Garrison Foster Health Center 24 hours a day. The current cost of EC is $20.00. Call ext. 3394 to make an appointment to see a practitioner Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. or come in to see nurse after-hours or on weekends. The Family Planning Association of Maine also offers EC and has a 24 hour toll free number (1-800-887-4029) to call in situations where the Health Center is closed or a non-Colby friend may benefit from EC.
Emergency Contraception should not be used in place of regular contraception. Correct and consistent use of regular contraception is more effective.
Click on Princeton for information about Emergency Contraception.
Lydia Bolduc-Marden, N.P.
