There are two types of emergency contraception: intrauterine devices (IUDs), which are inserted by a medical expert, and oral pills, which can be purchased over-the-counter or prescribed.
The main topic of discussion in this article is emergency contraceptive tablets.
Although specialists are aware that a person’s body mass index (BMI) can influence how effective emergency contraceptive pills are, a threshold for efficacy has not yet been established by clinical study.
Thus, there is now no clear answer available to medical practitioners regarding the point at which emergency contraception tablets lose their effectiveness.
To find out if doubling the dose can improve efficacy in those with a higher weight or BMI, experts need to conduct more research.
Regardless of weight or BMI, the copper IUD may be the most efficient kind of emergency contraception.
If it’s possible, speaking with a medical expert could be beneficial. They can advise you on the most suitable emergency contraceptive for your particular situation.
Ulipristal Acetate (ella)
Sophia Yen, MD, co-founder and CEO of Pandia Health, an online birth control company, claims that Ella is more successful than any other emergency contraceptive pill choice when taken at any time within 120 hours (5 days) following sex.
Ella delays ovulation for 120 hours (5 days) by blocking the hormone progesterone with ulipristal acetate, a nonhormonal substance. This allows your body to release an egg after the sperm have had time to die off.
Even in cases where sperm are able to fertilize the egg, blocking progesterone also thins the lining of the uterus, making implantation unlikely.
Ella is only available with a prescription. Your gynecologist or primary care physician may recommend ella for you.
A prescription can be obtained via the community clinic run by Planned Parenthood, your local health department, or a telemedicine platform such as Nurx.
Ella typically costs $50, but for those who qualify, some clinics supply the drug for free or at a significantly discounted price. Usually, Medicaid and insurance pay for the prescription drug.
Plan B and Other Levonorgestrel Pills
Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progesterone that is present in Plan B, the most widely used emergency contraception on the market. By helping to postpone ovulation, the synthetic hormone can lower the chance of possible conception.
Additional emergency contraceptives based on levonorgestrel consist of:
- AfterPill
- My Choice
- My Way
- Option 2
- Preventeza
- Action
According to Cristin Hackel, a nurse practitioner at Nurx, a telemedicine company, “levonorgestrel pills have been shown to be 89%Trusted Source effective if taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse.”
Hackel states that “they do work 72–120 hours (5 days) after intercourse, but to a much lesser degree.”
Levonorgestrel pills, such as Plan B, are available without a prescription at most pharmacies, including CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens. The drug is also sold by numerous internet merchants and a few supermarket stores.
The drug is also available via telemedicine services like Nurx, your neighborhood health department, or community clinics like Planned Parenthood.
Typically, Plan B costs about $50. While generic levonorgestrel pills are typically less expensive than Plan B, they aren’t as readily available. You could have more success finding them online.
Financial aid is frequently available from providers, and Medicaid or insurance holders can typically receive the drug for free.
Combination Birth Control Pills
When used in larger-than-normal dosages, several birth control tablets can be used as emergency contraception. Hormone surges can assist postpone ovulation and stop implantation.
According to Hackel, “the Yuzpe method entails taking one first dose within 72 hours and a second dose taken 12 hours later.”
This method only functions with progestin-and-estrogen combo birth control tablets. Minipills that simply contain progesterone may not work.
Even if it’s practical, most specialists advise against using it if there are other emergency contraceptive methods available.
“The Yuzpe method has more side effects and is less effective than Plan B and ella,” claims Hackel.
Depending on how soon after intercourse participants took the drug, earlier studies indicated that the effectiveness of the Yuzpe technique ranged from 56 to 86%.
What are Your Options For Terminating a Pregnancy?
There are options available to you if your test results are positive and you wish to end the pregnancy.
Making an appointment with a physician or other healthcare provider is the recommended course of action. They will verify your pregnancy and provide you with information on the various methods of abortion.
These usually fall within the category of surgical and medical alternatives. However, they do vary based on your location and the length of your pregnancy.
Mifepristone and misoprostol are the two tablets taken during a medical abortion. The first pill may occasionally be taken in the clinic, and the second at home. Typically, the abortion pill is safe to take up to 11 weeks following the start of your last menstrual cycle. But after seven weeks, the success rate somewhat declines.
If you had an ectopic pregnancy or have had an IUD implanted, this option might not be appropriate for you.
Surgical abortions are frequently performed later in pregnancy—in some cases, even beyond 16 weeks following the last menstrual cycle.
There are two kinds of surgical abortions: dilation and evacuation (D&E) employs a mix of suction and instruments to empty the uterus, whereas suction abortions, also known as vacuum aspiration, use a suction alone.
Our state-by-state guide can be helpful if you’re in the US and unsure of how or where to have an abortion nearby.