Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception refers to a back-up method of birth control that can be used in the following situations:

  • You didn’t use any birth control
  • Your condom came off or broke
  • Your diaphragm/cervical cap moved out of proper position during vaginal intercourse
  • You missed one or more birth control pills
  • You were late starting your pill pack
  • You were late getting your Depo-Provera shot
  • You were sexually assaulted and/or raped
  • You didn’t have intercourse, but semen came near the vagina
  • You miscalculated your non-fertile days and didn’t use contraception

Emergency contraception works to prevent pregnancy after intercourse. The closer to the intercourse that emergency contraception is used, the more effective it will be in preventing pregnancy. When taken within 48 hours, emergency contraception is 98-99% effective. You have up to 5 days to take emergency contraception. Emergency contraception may have effectiveness limits based on weight. Please talk to an HSHC doctor or a pharmacist about your options. Emergency contraception does not provide protection from any STIs.

There are currently 2 types of contraception that can be used as emergency contraception:

  • Emergency Contraceptive Pills
  • Emergency IUD

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS (ECP)

WHAT IS IT?

Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) are most commonly referred to as the “morning-after pill”.

There are currently two types of emergency contraceptive pills available in Canada:

  • Plan B, progestin-only method (and generics)
  • Ella, ulipristal acetate method (and generics)

Plan B is a single pill dose. It is 98-99% effective when taken within 48 hours of intercourse. It is this effective regardless of ovulation. You can take Plan B up to 5 days after intercourse. After 48 hours, effectiveness decreases each day, being about 58% effective by day 4-5. Plan B has effectiveness limits based on weight, impacting people over 180 lbs. It is still better to take Plan B than nothing at all. Please talk to an HSHC doctor or a pharmacist about your options.

Most people tolerate Plan B; however it can cause minor side effects in some users such as fatigue, breast tenderness, headache, and abdominal pain. People rarely feel nauseated after taking Plan B.

Plan B is an over-the-counter medication and does not require a prescription to access it. Anyone can purchase Plan B, regardless of age and gender.

Ella is a single pill dose. It is 98-99% effective when taken within 48 hours of intercourse. It is this effective regardless of ovulation. Ella is more effective than Plan B if taking after 72 hours after intercourse. Ella does not have effectiveness limits based on weight. Ella is a prescription medication. Pharmacists can prescribe Ella. 

At a pharmacy, without insurance coverage, ECP ranges from $25-$40.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

ECP may work by one of several mechanisms:

  • It can prevent the egg from leaving the ovary
  • It can prevent the sperm from meeting the egg
  • It can prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus

It does not cause disruption to the embryo once fertilization has occurred. In other words, ECP prevents pregnancy, but does not cause a miscarriage or abortion.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING ECP?

ADVANTAGES:

  • very effective
  • only method of contraception used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex
  • available without a prescription from pharmacies
  • can be purchased by anyone of any age or gender
  • can be purchased for yourself or others

DISADVANTAGES:

  • does not work if already pregnant
  • has to be used within a limited time frame
  • cannot be used as a regular method of birth control
  • may cause nausea and/or vomiting
  • may cause changes in the next menstrual period
  • does not offer protection against STIs

EMERGENCY IUD

WHAT IS IT?

The emergency IUD is the same copper IUD that is used as a birth control method. The IUD can be used in an emergency to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after the unprotected sex occurred.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

The emergency IUD prevents a potential fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING AN EMERGENCY IUD?

ADVANTAGES:

  • it is slightly more effective than emergency contraceptive pills (ECP)
  • the IUD can be kept in place and used as regular method of birth control

DISADVANTAGES:

  • may cause cramping and some spotting during and/or after insertion
  • requires an appointment with a doctor to have it inserted
  • uncomfortable insertion process
  • increased chance of crampier and heavier periods
  • does not protect against STIs

You can learn more about copper IUDs here: Intra-Uterine Device (IUD)

HSHC charges $80 for copper IUDs, but prices may be different at pharmacies.

HOW TO BOOK AND PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT

BOOKING AN APPOINTMENT

You do not need an appointment to get ECP from us. You may walk in for this service. However, it is best if you call us at 902-455-9656 ext 6 before you arrive. A doctor or nurse must be the one to give it to you, so it is best to call and ensure that we have medical staff on site. We will try our best to see you, though we have limited capacity for fit-in appointments. 

If you are interested in an emergency IUD, please give us a call at  902.455.9656 ext. 6 and ask to speak to a nurse between the hours of 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. We cannot guarantee that we we will be able to fit you in. We have limited capacity for fit-in insertions.  

At HSHC, ECP costs $20-$30, depending on the brand. We also can offer ECP for FREE with our Compassionate Contraceptives Program. Because we are required to have you see a doctor in order for us to dispense ECP, you do require a health card. ECP is also available over the counter (without a health card) at any local pharmacy, usually for about $25-$40. People of any age or gender may purchase ECP at HSHC and at pharmacies.