



In early 2013, Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP’s) otherwise known as “The Morning After Pill” were approved by the FDA for over the counter (OTC) sales beginning in August 2013. Since then, there has been some confusion as to how to get it and who can get it in different states. In fact, one state, Oklahoma – this over the counter policy has been blocked pending the outcome of litigation. So try not to forget to take your pill in Oklahoma, folks.

How is a responsible vagina owner supposed to know what the policy is in her state? There’s conflicting information even with the most specific of Google searches, and a difference of opinion among pharmacists that I‘ve asked over the last six months. It’s been very confusing to say the least.

Thank goodness for The Guttmacher Institute whose mission statement is all about promoting reproductive health.

In a brief released this month, The Guttmacher Institute provides s a grid of 35+ states Emergency Contraception policies. Still, I suggest if you are in need of Emergency Contraception and you’re under 17 years of age, it might be a good idea to call your pharmacy ahead of time to make certain they have Plan B One Step in stock and to find out their age restrictions (if applicable).

So, what if your best friend was in need of Emergency Contraception (EC) or “back-up birth control” would you know what to tell her? Would you know what kind to advise her to get and which is the most appropriate in her circumstance? EC can be a confusing maze to navigate, I’m going to try and break it down as best I can:

First, a few things you might want to be aware of:

1) Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP’s) can be purchased and used by people across the gender spectrum as people who don’t identify as female may still be able to get pregnant.

2) If you think you may already be pregnant, ECP’s, will not terminate the pregnancy nor has it been shown that taking an ECP would harm the fetus.

3) Even after taking an ECP you CAN get pregnant. If you have unprotected sex right away, use another method, like a condom, just in case.

4) Some people can have certain side effects like nausea, cramps, headache, etc.

5) Your next period may come sooner or later than expected

6) Some medications and/or alternative medicinal supplements may interfere with the effectiveness of not only your regular birth control pill, but your ECP.

7) The sooner you take an ECP the better they work.

WHAT EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVES ARE NOT:

1) Emergency Contraceptives are NOT meant to be birth control. EC’s should not be used in place of standard birth control methods and ONLY as a back up incase you forget your daily pill, forget to insert your ring, the condom breaks, etc.

2) Emergency Contraceptives are NOT the same thing as the “abortion pill.” Emergency Contraceptives work by delaying ovulation. The “Abortion Pill” or RU-486, otherwise known as the brand Mifeprex works by literally terminating an early pregnancy.

3) EC’s will NOT protect you from HIV/AIDS or STI’s. End of story. Always use a barrier method such as a male or female condom if you want to protect yourself from infection.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get to the good stuff. Here’s a some basic information that might make choosing what kind of Emergency Contraception works best for you (or your best friend), easier. Of course, don’t take my word for it … always read the full directions and contraindications that come with any medicine to make certain that the drug is safe for you:

NAME: Plan-B One Step – Emergency Contraception Pill

AVAILABLE: Over the counter without a prescription or proof of age*

KIND: Levongestrel/Progestin based meds

WHAT IS IT?: Levongestrel is the effective ingredient in this ECP. It works by suppressing ovulation and therefore inhibiting fertilization. Plan B-One Step is the only form of ECP that is currently available for sale to anyone, regardless of age or gender over the counter at a pharmacy without a prescription. There are generic options, Next Choice, My Way, Postinor (which will soon be available at your pharmacy) but these are currently only available from your doctor, clinic or other health care provider and only if you are 17 years old or older.*

Usually, your pharmacy or health care provider will give you a one dose ECP. However, sometimes you may be given ECP’s which contain 2 pills (like an older version of Plan B), in which case, take both pills together. The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals (ARHP) recommends that you take the pills immediately and at the same. This method has been proven safe and effective by the ARHP and numerous studies.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: You need to take this within 3 days/72 hours of unprotected sex. In fact the sooner you take it, the more effective it is, as each day you wait the potentcy declines. Taking Plan B et al after 3 days/ 72 hours, the product cannot be guaranteed to work effectively (although it has been known to work for up to 120 hours/5 days).

Until last summer, if you had a BMI of 25 or over, or weigh more than 155- 165 lbs, the effectiveness of the ECP was said to be less effective. The uproar about weight/BMI affecting the efficacy in ECP’s started in the U.S. after consumers discovered that only the EU packaging carried a warning stating the drugs were less effective for those women with higher BMI’s (not weight, by the way), U.S. packages carried no such warning.

However, a recent European study done in July 2014 by the European Medicines Agency found there was no conclusive evidence that proved ECP’s were less effective in women with a BMI of over 25. Since this study was released, European packaging no longer carries BMI warning

Used as instructed Plan B and other Levongesterel based ECP’s have an 88% effective rate.

NAME: ella – Emergency Contraception WITH a Prescription

AVAILABLE: With a prescription. Prescription and purchase can be done on the ella site.

KIND: ulipristal acetate – progesterone receptor

WHAT IS IT?: ella is pretty easy to get from your health care provider and you can obtain ella without a perscription at most Planned Parenthoods, health clinics, student wellness centers, etc. If you would rather order over the internet that is is super easy as well. To buy online, you do need a prescription, but ella’s website will direct you to KwikMed which allows people to acquire a prescription right away so ella can be sent to you without delay.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: You do not need to show proof of any age to get a prescription from one of their doctors online, and overnight ella to you. ella is the only ECP that is approved to be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, and it’s effectiveness is the same on the fifth day as it is on the first. This is great news, as sperm can live up to 5 days inside the body. ella is also considered to be more effective than the over the counter Plan B One Step or Levongestrel ECP’s.

NAME: The Yuzpe Method (Combined Birth Control Pill Method)

AVAILABLE: Prescription from healthcare provider

KIND: Progestin & Estrogen

The Yuzpe Method is taking a combination of certain monthly birth control pills in specific amounts and in a specific order. This method can be up to 75% effective, if taken as instructed within 72 hours of unprotected sex. You need to see your healthcare provider before you try this one, as only certain birth control pills are viable for emergency contraception.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

You will need to use a back-up method, like condoms to guard yourself against pregnancy, especially if your usual method of birth control is the pill.

NAME: Paragard Copper IUD (Intrauterine Device)

AVAILABLE: Must be inserted by a Medical Provider

KIND: Copper Intrauterine Device (non-hormonal)

WHAT IS IT? Paragard, is a copper IUD (intrauterine device) which does not contain any hormones. Paragard is, by far, the most effective option for anyone who needs Emergency Contraception, or as a regular means of contraception regardless of weight. The copper IUD 99-100% effective—meaning it prevents at least 99 out of 100 pregnancies that normally would have occurred. Paragard it can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex with the same effectiveness on Day 5 as on Day 1. No other IUD on the market works as Emergency Contraception – Mirena and Skyla, cannot be used as an emergency contraceptive. ParaGard is the only copper IUD available in the U.S. and prevents pregnancy for up to 10-12 years after insertion. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Some women experience cramping, heavy and longer periods and have spotting in between periods after the IUD is inserted, but for most women, this usually goes away within 2-3 months as your body adjusts to the IUD. It’s important to note, that other hormone containing IUD’s, like Skyla & Mirena cannot be used for emergency contraception. Also, something to consider with the copper IUD is that some women report that their periods have a slightly heavier flow than they’re used to and that cramping can be more pronounced than before. Women who might not be a candidate for an IUD would be women who are allergic to copper, women with abnormalities of the uterine cavity (ie; T-shaed uterus), inflammation/infection of the pelvis or cervix, some types of endometriosis or a rare disorder called Wilson’s disease that stops the body from getting rid of copper. However, you should always check with your medical provider if you have any concerns about your candidacy for an IUD. When getting your IUD inserted, ask your doctor if he/she will be using an analgesic to ease the discomfort, if not you can certainly askParaguard does not stop your period. In fact it can give you longer periods. However, it’s the perfect choice for women who are sensitive to hormones, who want sexual spontenaity, women who want their natural menstrual cycle and it’s a birth control method that is easily reversible. *UPDATE 5/13/15: A recent European study done in July 2014 by the European Medicines Agency, found there was no conclusive evidence that proved ECP’s were less effective in women with a BMI of over 25/35. The uproar about weight/BMI affecting the efficacy in ECP’s started in the U.S. after consumers discovered that only the EU packaging carried a warning stating the drugs were less effective for those women with higher BMI’s (not weight, by the way), U.S. packages carried no such warning. Since this study was released, European packaging no longer carries BMI warning “Weight” became the buzzword for the ECP killer as journalists in the U.S. stated weight as the affecting issue (probably because it was easier to explain and more digestible to a broader audience), even though it’s completely possible to be between 155-165 lbs and NOT have a BMI of 25 and over. *** If you’re a Trans man who takes hormones, you should confer with your doctor or healthcare provider to see what they recommend when it comes to taking emergency contraception. Unfortunately, right now there isn’t enough research that tells us how hormonal EC will affect you, so your best choice may be the non-hormonal ParaGard IUD which is the most effective birth control and emergency contraceptive on the market. More on Emergency Contraception:

Bedsider has an EC search with locations providing EC if you’re not sure where to get it in your area.

New rules for Emergency Contraception: CLICK HERE

To find out where to get contraception, CLICK HERE

* This chart from the Guttmacher Institute shows what most individual states allow regarding OTC sale of Emergency Contraceptives CLICK HERE

To see a video on how ECPs work, see below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Vozr9vHeMo

RESOURCES:

Not 2 Late: www.not-2-late.com

Most recent published paper on Emergency Contraception by Princeton: http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/ec-review.pdf

Planned Parenthood – Weight and EC:

http://plannedparenthood.tumblr.com/post/68197145284/does-my-weight-affect-which-emergency-contraception-i

Healthcare in Our Hands: http://ecotc.tumblr.com

FDA Data on ella: http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2012/022474s002lbl.pdf

Guttmacher Institute on EC as of 2/14: http://www.guttmacher.org/statecenter/spibs/spib_EC.pdf

Bedsider.org on EC: http://bedsider.org/methods/emergency_contraception#alternatives_tab

Quick YouTube video from AsapSCIENCE:

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