Emergency Contraception: Plan B, Ella and IUDs

• After unprotected sexual intercourse that may be done with the agreement of the woman or at times secondary to rape.
• Secondary to the use of a contraceptive method that did not work. For instance tearing of the condom during sex, missing 2 to 3 doses of the hormonal pills.

Emergency Contraception: Hormonal Pill – Plan B

Plan B is an FDA approved medication for emergency contraception that is easily available around the globe and you don’t even require a doctor’s prescription to get it.  It is also known as morning-after-pill and usually, a single dose of Plan B is sufficient enough to produce the desired results.

It is a contraceptive pill, that means it can help to prevent pregnancy from occurring. However, it cannot be used as an abortion pill if you are already pregnant. For that, you may require medications such as Mifepristone, Misoprostol as well as other measures and to figure out what exactly you need, consult with our experienced Brooklyn obgyn doctors. Also, it is an emergency contraception method and it cannot be used as a regular method of contraception and it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Mechanism of Action of Plan B

Plan B contains Levonorgestrel that works by interfering with a number of important steps required for conception to occur successfully. For instance, it prevents the release of an egg as well as fertilization. In addition, it also prevents the attachment of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus. Together, these effects of Plan B make sure to prevent you from getting pregnant so it can be used as an emergency contraception pill.

Efficacy of Plan B

Plan B is found to be very effective medication as a method of emergency contraception if taken within about three days of any unprotected sexual intercourse. The most important factor that matters regarding its efficacy is timing. In general, the earlier it is used, the better the results are.  Furthermore, many studies indicate Plan B to be effective in more than 90 percent of the cases.

Emergency Contraception: Non-Hormonal Pill – Ella

Ella is a non-hormonal pill that contains a drug called ulipristal acetate. It works by inhibiting the effects of hormones necessary for the conception to occur.  It is effective as an emergency contraception method for even up to 5 days after unprotected sexual intercourse however you always need a doctor’s prescription to get Ella.

Emergency Insertion of an Intrauterine Contraceptive Devise

Intrauterine devices work by inhibiting implantation of a fertilized ovum. The good news is they can be effective even if inserted 5-7 days after unprotected sexual intercourse and they can provide a long-term method of contraception.

For more information about birth control options including Plan B pills, come to Century Medical and Dental Center (Downtown Brooklyn, Gravesend, Flatbush, Fort Greene, Midtown Manhattan and Harlem) for a consultation.