Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception blocks the joining of an egg and a sperm, or if that joining has already occured, prevents the fertilized egg from attaching itself to the womb. According to the July 1997 Contraceptive Guide by Mary Jane Bovo, M.D., emergency contraception or "the morning after pill" is 90-95 percent effective. A specific number of estrogen/progesterone birth control pills are taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. According to Jane E. Brody in the August 23, 1997 edition of New Yourk Times, the following are recommended dosages for emergency contraceptives:

*Ovral: 2 white pills.
*Alesse: 5 pink pills.
*Nordette: 4 light orange pills.
*Levlen: 4 light orange pills.
*Lo/Ovral: 4 white pills.
*Triphasil: 4 yellow pills.
*Tri-Levlen: 4 yellow pills.
*Ovrette: 20 yellow pills.

Within 72 hours of unprotected sex, one dosage should be taken, and 12 hours after that another dosage should taken.

There are many advantages as well as disadvantages in using emergency contraception. One advantage of emergency contraception is that the risk of pregnancy if a condom breaks, diaphragm or cervical cap becomes dislodged, or unprotected sex takes place is reduced. According to Brody in the New York Times, of 100 fertile women who engage in unprotected sex in the second or third week of their menstrual cycles, eight would become pregnant. Using emergency contraception would mean that only two would become pregnant. Another advantage of using the "morning after pill" is that it is not an abortion because it will not disrupt an already established pregnancy. One disadvantage of using this type of contraception is that it can only be prescribed by a doctor. Emergency contraception can only be used for emergencies and cannot be taken until atleast ten days after the last use. Many side effects include vomitting, bleeding, headaches, breast tenderness, and nausea. Rare side effects include heart attacks, liver problems, blood clots, strokes, and high blood pressure. It is also known to sometimes cause birth defects during pregnancy.

The Reproductive Health Technologists Project in Washington and the Office of Population Research at Princeton University sponsor a phone line on emergency contraception. (888) 668-2528 Web Site: http://opr.princeton.edu/ec/

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