What is emergency contraception?If you have unprotected sex, or you think your contraception method did not work (e.g. burst condom) emergency contraception is a safe and effective way of preventing an accidental pregnancy. It may also be used following instances of sexual assault.
The morning-after pill is the only form of emergency contraception licensed in Ireland at present. These pills contain a form of the hormone progesterone, which works to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
The pills are not effective if a woman is already pregnant.
Emergency contraception should not be used as a regular form of contraception; while they can help prevent an unplanned pregnancy, they are not as effective as other forms of contraception such as the pill or condom and do no protect against the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
How do emergency contraception pills work?
It is unclear exactly how emergency contraception pills work. The pills contain the hormone progesterone, which is believed to:
- Cause changes in the lining of the womb that prevent implantation of a fertilised egg;
- Prevent or delay ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary);
- Interfere with movement of the egg or sperm through the fallopian tube to the uterus.
Emergency contraception can be used at any stage of the menstrual cycle, but should not be used if your period is late. Remember, the morning-after pill will not end a pregnancy if a fertilised egg has already implanted in the uterus.
Where can I get emergency contraception?
The morning-after pill is licensed by the Irish Medicines Board and is available on prescription only. It qualifies under the medical card scheme.
If you have had unprotected sex, you should call your doctor or family planning clinic within 24 hours. Emergency contraception is most effective if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Preferably, the pills should be taken within 12 hours and no later than 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
Tell the doctor if you are taking any medication as some medications such as certain anti-convulsants or St John’s Wort may reduce the efficacy of emergency contraception.
Your will be prescribed two tablets, which are taken together, as soon as possible, after unprotected sex.
After taking the pills, another form of contraception (condoms, diaphragm or cap) should be used until your next period. You can also continue taking your normal contraceptive pill.
Menstrual periods are usually normal and occur around the expected date. Sometimes they can be a few days early or a few days late. A pregnancy test should be done if your period is more than five days late.
Are there any side-effects?
The commonest side effect of the morning-after pill is nausea and vomiting. If vomiting occurs within three hours of taking the tablets, another two tablets should be taken immediately. Your doctor may give you an anti-sickness tablet to take an hour before taking the pills.
Other possible side effects include:
Irregular vaginal bleeding, spotting, late period;
- Dizziness;
- Diarrhoea;
- Breast tenderness;
- Fluid retention;
- Fatigue;
- Headache.
Most of these symptoms usually settle within a day or two.
Can every woman use emergency contraception?
You should not use emergency contraception pills if:
- You know or suspect that you were already pregnant before you had unprotected sexual intercourse;
- You are allergic to contraceptive pills;
- You have abnormal vaginal bleeding;
- You have a history of blood clots;
- You have severe liver problems.
What is the success rate of the morning-after pill?
Emergency contraception prevents 85% of expected pregnancies if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.
No form of contraception is 100% effective and some women will still get pregnant despite using emergency contraception. If there is uncertainty about the timing of sexual intercourse or if the woman has had unprotected intercourse more than 72 hours earlier in the same menstrual period, conception may have occurred.
Emergency contraception following the second act of intercourse may therefore be ineffective in preventing pregnancy.
How do I know that the pills have worked?
Your period should arrive as usual around your expected date. Contact your doctor to arrange a pregnancy test if your period is late (especially if over 5 days late).
