Here are seven emergency contraception myths you may have come across and the truth behind them.
Myth #1: Theres only one kind of EC.
When you think of emergency contraception, the morning-after pill might come to mind.
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But theres more than one pill form of emergency contraception, and theres even a non-pill method too.
The other form of oral emergency contraception is a 30-milligram pill ofulipristal acetate(ella).
Both emergency contraceptive pills reduce the chances of unintended pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation.
But theres another jot down of emergency contraception that isnt a pill.
Paragard is acopper intrauterine machine(IUD) that can also be used as an emergency contraceptive.
Heres a lot more detailabout how each of these methods works as emergency contraception.
Lets discuss the oral emergency contraceptives first.
Levonorgestrel is recommended for use up to72 hoursafter sex.
Ulipristal acetates recommended use is longer: up to120 hours(five days) after sex.
But you should aim to take either form as soon as you’ve got the option to.
This usually happens around day 14 of a 28-day menstrual cycle.
Myth #3: EC causes an abortion.
Emergency contraception is capable of preventing pregnancy, not ending a pregnancy that has already started.
Myth #4: You need a prescription to get any form of EC.
Thankfully, that changed in 2013.
There are no restrictions on sales of levonorgestrel emergency contraception, Cleland says.
However, this can be more difficult in practice than it sounds.
Myth #5: EC will definitely make you feel really sick.
You may feel nauseated after taking oral EC, but its not a guarantee.
The majority of people do not get violently sick or have terrible nausea and vomiting, Dr. Raine-Bennett says.
If you do have side effects, Cleland says, they will usually wear off on their own.
Myth #6.
Once you take the morning-after pill, it’s possible for you to safely have more unprotected sex.
Beyond that, they do not affect long-term fertility.
You may need to be evenmoreon top of your regularbirth controlafter taking EC, Downing says.
This is why doctors recommend waiting at least five days after taking this medication before starting hormonal birth control.
Talk to your doctor for guidance on that front.)
As we mentioned, taking emergency contraception will not harm your fertility.
Still, there are better long-term birth control options out there.
Progestin-only birth control such as hormonal IUDs and the implant are all about that uterine lining and mucus action.
Also, trying to regularly use emergency contraceptive pills as birth control can really add up.
Even using condoms during sex every time is cheaper than using oral emergency contraception after each instance of sex.
