Emergency contraception
Emergency Contraception – A short-term method of contraception.
Emergency contraception pill is a single dose contraception that helps to prevent a pregnancy when taken up to five days after unprotected sex.
It works by preventing or delaying the release of an egg from the ovaries. This involves taking only one tablet of a particular hormone. This is sometimes called ‘the morning after pill’ or ‘Plan B’.
Frequently asked questions about emergency contraception
Emergency contraception offers the following advantages as a short-term method of contraception:
– It is safe for almost all women
– Using emergency contraception does not affect long term fertility
– It does not cause an abortion
– You can use emergency contraception at any time in your menstrual cycle
– Emergency contraception is not harmful to your health.
When deciding if emergency contraception is a method right for you, here are a few quick facts you should consider:
– It will only work for sex that occurred in the previous five days
– It is not recommended as a regular method of contraception
– Unlike condoms, it does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
– It may have some side effects, such as bleeding, nausea and fatigue.
BK-1 Emergency contraceptives can interfere with other medications. Depending which brand of emergency contraception you use, there is a small risk it may affect the following medication:
– St John’s Wort herbal medicine
– Various epilepsy medicines
– Various HIV medicines
– Various tuberculosis (TB) medicines
– Antacid medicines
Other contraceptive methods
We offer a range of contraceptive and sexual health services to suit you.
