What do you know about emergency contraception and the side effects?

Emergency contraception (EC) is a safe and effective form of birth control that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, or if your regular contraceptive methods fail. It works by preventing or delaying ovulation, so that the sperm and egg don’t have a chance to meet. EC is available in two forms – either as an emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) or an intrauterine device (IUD).

The most common side effects associated with ECPs are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, abdominal pain/cramps, breast tenderness, fatigue, headaches and irregular bleeding. Most of these side effects should go away within 24-48 hours after taking the medication. However, it’s important to seek medical attention if any of these symptoms persist beyond 48 hours. Additionally, there is a risk of ectopic pregnancy when using EC pills so it’s important to take a pregnancy test if you experience ongoing symptoms such as missed periods and/or lower abdomen pain for more than 2 weeks following use of EC pills.