Also called Aftera, Fallback Solo, Encontra EZ, Opcicon, My Way, Next Choice One Dose, Plan B One Step, Ella, Preventeza, React, and Take Action, emergency contraceptives are intended to prevent a pregnancy.
What is emergency contraception?
Commonly called the “morning-after pill,” emergency contraception is a high dose of synthetic hormone. The way it works depends on when it used during your cycle. It’s use can end a pregnancy prior to or shortly after implantation; however, emergency contraception is not always effective in preventing pregnancy.
The morning-after pill is NOT a form of regular birth control, and the manufacturers advise that it is not intended to be taken on a regular basis. It does not offer lasting protection for any subsequent sexual encounters.
Hope’s Pathway Chatham does not provide prenatal care, emergency contraceptives, or refer or perform abortions.
How do emergency contraceptives work?
Emergency contraception lowers the risk of pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation, but may also interfere with implantation resulting in the death of the embryo. The way it works depends upon where you are in your cycle.
Emergency contraception does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Is the morning-after pill the same as the abortion pill?
The morning-after pill is not the same as the abortion pill or a chemical abortion and should not be used to end a pregnancy. Although they seem similar, emergency contraception and the abortion pill are not the same things.
While emergency contraception may work to prevent conception, all forms have the potential to interfere with the embryo’s attachment to the uterus. This is not a contraceptive effect, meaning preventing conception, but embryocidal, resulting in the embryo’s death. The way it works depends on where you are in your cycle. On the other hand, the abortion pill always works to terminate the pregnancy and is the only one that can end a pregnancy once it is attached.
Are there risks to using emergency contraceptives?
High doses of synthetic hormones may have health risks. If you have existing health conditions, be sure to discuss these with your doctor before you take emergency contraception.
Side effects, which typically last a few days, can include headache, nausea/vomiting, dizziness, fatigue, breast tenderness, changes in menstrual bleeding, and abdominal pain. These side effects should be mild and only last a few days. However, if you experience significant lower abdominal pain after taking emergency contraception, contact your healthcare provider immediately to be evaluated for a possible ectopic pregnancy. If you have noticed unexpected side affects, such as heavy bleeding, seek medical attention right away.
What should I do next?
After using emergency contraception there is still a chance that a pregnancy could occur. If you have not had a period within three weeks of using emergency contraception, contact us. We are here to help you regardless of your situation. It’s important to understand your pregnancy options, so you can plan your next steps!
SOURCES
- Abortion Pill Reversal (n.d.) https://abortionpillreversal.com
- American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (n.d.) Embryocidal potential of modern contraceptives. Professional Ethics Committee of AAPLOG. https://aaplog.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/FINAL-CO-7-Embryocidal-Potential-of-Modern-Contraception-1.20.20.pdf
- American Pregnancy Association. (2025, February 10). How pregnancy occurs. https://americanpregnancy.org/getting-pregnant/how-pregnancy-occurs/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2024, November 21). Morning-after pill. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23386-morning-after-pill
- Drugs.com. (2024, May 6). Emergency Contraception: What You Need to Know. https://www.drugs.com/article/emergency-contraceptive-pill.html
- Drugs.com. (2024, November 2). Morning after side effects. https://www.drugs.com/sfx/morning-after-side-effects.html
- Drugs.com. (2024, August 19). Paraguard prescribing information. https://www.drugs.com/pro/paragard.html
- Mayo Clinic. (2024, July 2). Morning-after pill. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/about/pac-20394730
- Physician’s Desk Reference. (2023, April 13). Ella drug summary: mechanism of action. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2012/0815/p365.html
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2022, December 23) Plan B One-Step (1.5 mg levonorgestrel) Information. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/plan-b-one-step-15-mg-levonorgestrel-information
- Whalen, K., & Rose, R. (2012). Ulipristal (ella) for emergency contraception. American Family Physician. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2012/0815/p365.html