While the internet is a great resource to find and learn information about anything you could imagine, it also contains information that is incorrect. Emergency contraception pills (ECPs) are one of the topics that is surrounded by rumors and misunderstandings. Even though ECPs have been studied for over 50 years by medical professionals, people still tend to believe the rumors this medication.
So what exactly is emergency contraception pills (EPCs) and when would I need to use them? ECPs is an effective contraceptive method that is used to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure (Bauzà-Amengual, Esteva, Ingla-Pol, Font-Oliver, & March, 2018). According to Planned Parenthood, the levonorgestrel morning-after pill like Plan B can lower a woman’s chance of getting pregnant by 75-89% if it is taken within 3 days after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Other factors that affect the effectiveness of ECPs include a woman’s body mass index (BMI) and the length of time the EPC is taken. Having a higher BMI makes EPCs less effective.
Below is a video that was aired by Fox News in 2013. The doctor and the new anchor are discussing ECPs and how the age limit has changed over the years. The title of the video includes false infomation about ECPs.
So first we’ll discuss the misconceptions or myths. The biggest misconception surrounding ECPs in that they cause abortions. Now let’s talk fact. EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION PILLS DO NOT CAUSE ABORTION. ECPs work by delaying ovulation. Meaning the egg and sperm do not make contact which prevents a pregnancy from developing. The medication that is used in most ECPs, Levonorgestrel, has absolutely no effect on an established pregnancy. This means if a woman is already pregnant and takes ECP it will not be effective and the pregnancy will continue to develop.
Another myth is that there is only one ECP option and that it is hard to get. This is simply not true. Like anything in this world, there is a competition of products from different companies. There are more than two dozen different types of ECPs available in the United States. The most well known ECP is Plan B One-Step and the generic versions like Next Choice One Dose, My Way, and Take Action. EPCs are available in pharmacies, in stores, and online without a prescription or age restrictions. Most clinics accept walk-in patients as well.
A third misconception surrounding EPCs is that taking too much affect your fertility. There is zero evidence that taking ECPs multiple times with affect future fertility of a woman. The only side effects of ECPs include upset stomach, feeling lightheaded or dizzy, having tender breasts for a short while after a woman takes the pill, and the woman’s next period could potentially be heavier or different from the woman’s normal period. Another potential side effect is nausea or throwing up. An important thing to know is that if a woman throws up within 2 hours of taking the pill, it will not be effective and they should retake the medication.
ECPs are an option for women who have unprotected sex or if their birth control method fails. It does not cause abortions and it does not affect a woman’s fertility. The internet is full of information but it is important to look further and learn the absolute truth.
References
Bauzà-Amengual, M. L., Esteva, M., Ingla-Pol, M., Font-Oliver, M. A., & March, S. (2018). Discourses on the postcoital pill in young women. BMC Public Health, 18(1), N.PAG. https://library.neit.edu:2404/10.1186/s12889-018-5691-3
Planned Parenthood website
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/whats-plan-b-morning-after-pill