Emergency Contraceptives (Morning-After Pill)
If you’ve had unprotected sex, or if your birth control method failed, your next step may be to obtain the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP). ECP can prevent pregnancy if a condom slips or breaks, a diaphragm moves, you forget your usual method of contraception, or if you have unprotected sex.
The ECP method or “morning after pill” uses a high dose of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) to prevent conception. The OC method is effective if used within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. There are many different regular oral contraceptives that can be used as ECPs:
The ECP method or “morning after pill” uses a high dose of combined oral contraceptives (OCs) to prevent conception. The OC method is effective if used within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. There are many different regular oral contraceptives that can be used as ECPs:
| If you are taking | 1st dose (as soon as possible) | 2nd dose (12 hours later) |
| Ovral |
2 white pills | 2 white pills |
| Lo/Ovral | 4 white pills | 4 white pills |
| Levlen |
4 orange pills | 4 orange pills |
| Nordette |
4 orange pills | 4 orange pills |
| Tri-Levlen |
4 yellow pills | 4 yellow pills |
| Triphasil |
4 yellow pills |
4 yellow pills |
Your next period may be a few days early or late. It is important to do a home pregnancy test or see a physician if your period has not started within 3 weeks after ECP treatment, as you may be pregnant.
