What is emergency contraception?
Q: What is emergency contraception?
A: Emergency contraception is a form of contraception that can be taken by the woman after sex to help prevent pregnancy.
Q: Does emergency contraception protect against sexually transmitted diseases?
A: No, emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
Q: How soon after unprotected sex should emergency contraception be applied?
A: Emergency contraception needs to be applied within about 3 days (72 hours) after the event in order to be effective. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it will be.
Q: How do the drugs used for emergency contraception work?
A: The drugs used for emergency contraception work by either stopping or delaying ovulation, preventing sperm from fertilising any egg already released, or stopping a fertilised egg from attaching itself to the lining of the womb.
Q: How effective are these drugs at preventing pregnancies?
A: It is estimated that these drugs may prevent 85% of expected pregnancies.
Q: Will these drugs work if a woman is already pregnant?
A: No, the drugs will not work if the woman is already pregnant.
Q: Can these drugs be used again in same menstrual cycle for preventing pregnancy from unprotected sex? A: No, these drugs will not work for preventing pregnancy from unprotected sex again in same menstrual cycle.
