EC Method
- 1. What is emergency contraception?
- 2. Emergency contraception: how to use it?
- 3. When should you use Emergency Contraception?
- 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 (1.5mg Levonorgestrel) must be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, and within 72 hours (3 days) at the latest after intercourse.
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:
- Either on time (the most frequent situation)
- Or a fewdays earlier
- Or 3 to 5 days maximum later
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:
- If you have had sexual intercourse and used no contraceptive method
- If your condom has broken, has slipped off, has been displaced or has been improperly removed.
- If your partner has withdrawn too late if you use the withdrawal method.
- If you usually take a contraceptive pill , but you have forgotten to take one or more pill
- I you have been raped
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:
- Read the Patient information leaflet of your pill pack carefully to see how to resume taking your pill,
- Use a barrier contraceptive method (condom, spermicide, cervical cap, diaphragm) until your next menstrual period.
- Emergency contraception must be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, and within 72 hours (3 days) at the latest after intercourse.
- 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) at each act of intercourse until the next menstrual period.
IT'S NEVER TOO SOON
Lancet 1998;352:428-33 |