Emergency contraception is a form of birth control, used by women who have had unprotected sex or used any other birth control method that did not work. This is in general not a frequently used method for birth control and is opted for in only specific situations.

It is important to note that emergency oral contraception is a way to prevent pregnancies only. Thus, it works by delaying the process of ovulation. This method of birth control does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Broadly, emergency contraceptives can be classified into two types:

• Pill
• IUD

The pill can be categorized into two types. One, which contains a hormone, known as levonorgestrel. This kind of pill can be easily bought over-the-counter without a prescription. The second is a non-hormonal pill, known as ulipristal (Ella). You need a prescription to buy this.

How does emergency contraception work?
Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive works to prevent pregnancy by temporarily stopping the eggs from getting released. This averts the process of fertilization or stops the fertilized egg from becoming implanted in the uterus. Levonorgestrel needs to be taken only once and as soon as possible. Its effectiveness depends on how soon the pill was taken after unprotected sex. It is recommended to have the pill within 72 hours to prevent pregnancy. Doctors believe that this pill can reduce the chances of pregnancy by almost 90%.

Ella, on the other hand, can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.

An IUD is a device that is inserted inside the body to prevent pregnancy. The device works by impeding the fertilization process and stopping the fertilized egg from getting implanted. An IUD must be placed within 5 days of having sex.

How effective is emergency contraception?
If levonorgestrel is used as directed, it can greatly reduce the chances of getting pregnant. According to a case study, 7 out of 8 women who used levonorgestrel were successful in preventing pregnancy. However, it is believed that this form of birth control loses its effectiveness in case the woman is obese or overweight. For them, IUD is the most preferred form of birth control.

Similarly, Ella has been seen to be highly effective in stopping pregnancy. A study pointed out that it reduced the chances by up to 90%. Also, its effectiveness does not fade for up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.

An IUD guarantees 99% effectiveness if inserted within 5 to 7 days of unprotected sex.

Side effects of emergency contraceptives
There are many side effects associated with the use of emergency contraceptives. However, most of them are not very serious and diminish on their own within a couple of days.

Some of the most common side effects include:

• Headache
• Excessive fatigue
• Nausea
• Pain in the abdomen
• Menstrual changes

It is best to consult your doctor before taking any of these emergency contraceptives. He can also prescribe some anti-nausea medicines to lessen the impact of potential side effects.