Emergency contraceptives are drugs and products used to prevent pregnancy or prevent the implantation of a new pregnancy. There are many misconceptions about emergency contraception, and our licensed medical staff is committed to providing women in the Triangle with accurate information about their pregnancy options.
What emergency contraception options do I have?
Emergency contraceptive options include the Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD), which requires a doctor’s office visit for insertion, prescription drugs, and morning-after pills that don’t require a prescription.
How does Plan B (the Morning-after Pill) work?
Sperm can live inside your body for up to six to seven daysafter, making it possible to get pregnant days after having sex. Plan B is a large dose of birth control medication and can work in 3 ways:
- Preventing the egg from being released (ovulation)
- Preventing the sperm from fertilizing the egg (fertilization)
- Preventing an embryo (fertilized egg) from implanting in the uterus (implantation) by cutting off nourishment to the embryo. In this way, Plan B can act as an abortifacient (producing an abortion). (1)
How effective is Plan B?
Plan B is claimed to be 25% to 95% effective in preventing pregnancy depending on how soon you take it after having sex, according to its manufacturer. (2)
- 95% effective within 24 hours
- 85% effective 25-48 hours
- 58% effective 48-72 hours
- 25% effective after 72 hours
If you are considering using an emergency contraception our trained staff and licensed medical professional are available to talk with you and answer questions you may have. Call today to discuss your options with the Gateway Women’s Care team of medical professionals.
Gateway Women’s Care Raleigh (919) 833-0096, Durham (919) 251-9444 and Chapel Hill (919) 537-8220.
(1) https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2003/01/4630/scientists-discover-what-makes-human-embryo-attach-uterus
(2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792670/table/t1-pch08181/