What should I know about emergency contraception?

[2/6/2018] NURSE DANI: I'm here today with Dr. Longenecker from Heber Valley Clinic, and we're talking about emergency contraception. Maybe you didn't have any other form of contraception on board, but things happened and you don't want to get pregnant. Tell us a little bit more about emergency contraception. DR. LONGENECKER: Emergency contraception is readily available and that's what people need to know. They have options should such an event occur. So they can go over-the-counter, there's something called Plan B, which is a progestin component in the medicine that can be used safely up to 5 days after you've had unprotected intercourse. ND: Is it more effective the closer to the event that you take it? DL: It is more effective. I'd prefer that patients take it within 3 days, but the manufacturer recommendation does say it can go out to about 5 days. ND: So that's good to know. Maybe you've thought on this for a minute and then you still have some time to go and find where it's available. That could be an issue too. DL: Correct. And there's 2 other forms of contraception you can use, but those ones you need a doctor's appointment for. One them is a prescription medication that is 2 different pills you take 12 hours apart. That one is also good for up to 5 days, but it's more effective when taken closer to the unprotected intercourse. And even the copper IUD can safely be placed and prevent - ND: This would be a longterm form of contraception you decide to initiate at that time. DL: Right. And that's nice too, because really, the other 2 are just quick-fixes. They're pills that you take and they're good that one time. The copper IUD will give you long-lasting birth control as well as preventing that pregnancy that you're concerned about. ND: So if I were to take Plan B or another form of emergency contraception, could I expect any side effects or bleeding changes from that? DL: So as far as the IUD goes, I would expect the normal side effects that you have with an IUD - a lot of the time, a little bit of spotting at first over the first several months. With a copper IUD, you could expect a little bit more bleeding during your periods, but the longer you use it, the less spotting and the less breakthrough bleeding you'll have. ND: And what about the pill? DL: The pill will also change some of your bleeding patterns. Because you're taking it, it could affect your cycle and your cycle may not come when you expect it to. ND: Which is good to know, because you're also thinking "Am I pregnant?". You should still think that though (even knowing that it's a side effect) and take a test to either rule out or confirm that as the cause. DL: Absolutely. You should take that pregnancy test as soon as you miss your anticipated date of your period and make sure that you know whether or not you're pregnant, because that is still a possibility. Even though this is a great form of emergency contraception, it still does have a failure rate, and even if you take it, you still could be come pregnant. ND: Good advice. Thank you so much for that information. And if you have questions in the future for me, feel free to ask them on our Facebook page at   / intermountainmoms  , and recommend us to your friends and family too.