EC Method

  1. 1. What is emergency contraception?
  2. 2. Emergency contraception: how to use it?
  3. 3. When should you use Emergency Contraception?
  4. 4. When and how should you use Emergency Contraception if you have forgotten a pill?

1 What is emergency contraception?

Emergency Contraception consists of the administration of a hormonal product within 72 hours after a unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy (the method is also known as "post-coital contraception" or "morning-after pill").
Since May 1999, a dependable product NorLevo® ( also called Vikela, Vika or Unofem) which does not contain estrogens hence has fewer side-effects, has been available in many countries.

2 Emergency contraception : how to use it ?

You need Emergency Contraception if you have had unprotected intercourse and you don't wish to become pregnant.
Emergency Contraception consists of taking a hormone within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, at any time of the cycle.
Since May 1999 in France, a dependable product, known as NorLevo® has been available for Emergency Contraception.

NorLevo® can be taken at any time of the cycle.

After using Norlevo®, you should use a barrier contraceptive method (condom, spermicidal, cervical cap, diaphragm) for each act of intercourse until the next menstrual period.
Your next menstrual period will come:

It is a back-up method, which, although fairly efficient, does not work in every case : this is why it is very important to perform a pregnancy test, if your period is more than 5 days late.
To date there is no known contraindication to Emergency Contraception with NorLevo® .
After using NorLevo® you should contact your doctor, your health care provider or a family planning centre in order to start regular contraception that is suitable for you.

WARNING : this method can prevent an undesired pregnancy but it does not protect against STDs and AIDS.
If you have any questions, ask your doctor, your health care provider or a family planning center immediately .

3 When should you use Emergency Contraception?

After unprotected sexual intercourse, that is:

4 When and how should you use Emergency Contraception if you have forgotten a pill?

Emergency contraception should be used if you have forgotten the pill and if you have had unprotected intercourse within the last 72 hours.
In any case ask your doctor, your health care provider, your pharmacist, or a family planning center.
In addition:

IT'S NEVER TOO SOON

Efficacy graph
NorLevo doesn't protect agains AIDS and MST
Lancet 1998;352:428-33