Emergency Contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy AFTER unprotected sex. Lots of people have questions about it: How does the morning after pill work? What does the morning after pill do? How does emergency contraception prevent pregnancy? What are the different types of emergency contraception? This video answers these questions and more.

To learn more about the morning after pill/emergency contraception, visit https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception

Transcript:

Accidents happen — maybe you mess up your birth control, or forget to use a condom. But since it can take several days for pregnancy to happen after sex, there’s still something you can do.

Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It mainly works by stopping sperm from meeting with an egg.

There are 2 options for emergency contraception: the copper IUD, or morning­ after pill.

Getting a copper IUD inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex is the most effective type of emergency contraception. It works as well if you get it inserted on day 5 as it does on day 1.

And — bonus! — it keeps giving you super effective pregnancy protection for up to 12 years, or until you have it removed.

But sometimes it’s hard to get an appointment for an IUD on such short notice, so call your local Planned Parenthood health center or doctor as soon as possible.

The morning­-after pill is not the same thing as the abortion pill — it won’t end an existing pregnancy.

There are 2 kinds of morning­-after pills. ella is the most effective kind of morning-­after pill. You can take ella up to 5 days after unprotected sex, and it works as well on day 5 as it does on day

1. You need a prescription from a Planned Parenthood health center or your doctor or to get ella.

Plan­B and other generic pills like it are the next best option for emergency contraception.

They’re available without a prescription from most drug stores and pharmacies. You can be any gender, any age, and walk in and buy it without ID.

You can take Plan B up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it, the better it works. It’s most effective when taken within 3 days after unprotected sex.

Morning-­after pills really lower your chances of getting pregnant, but they don’t work as well as using regular birth control. So it’s best to find a regular method of birth control, and save the morning-­after pill for emergencies.

Sometimes insurance covers emergency contraception. If you’re worried about cost, Planned Parenthood can help.
Video Rating: / 5

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-contraceptives-work-nwhunter

Contraceptives are designed to prevent pregnancy in three basic ways: they either block sperm, disable sperm before they reach the uterus, or suppress ovulation. But is one strategy better than the other? And how does each one work? NWHunter describes the mechanics behind different kinds of contraceptives.

Lesson by NWHunter, animation by Draško Ivezić.

Email This Post Email This Post