MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network

What is Emergency Contraception (EC)?

Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy if you’ve had unprotected sex or are not sure if you’re protected from pregnancy. You can use EC to help prevent pregnancy if a condom broke or leaked, no birth control was used, a regular method of birth control wasn’t used correctly or there was a sexual assault. EC should be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

There are two types of EC:

Copper IUD

  • a small soft t-shaped device with a copper wire wrapped around it
  • can be put into the uterus by a health care provider up to 7 days after unprotected sex
  • can be left in as a regular form of birth control for 5-10 years
  • reduces the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex by 99%

Emergency Contraception Pills

  • two types (levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate).
  • can be used up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.

EC doesn’t protect you from STIs or HIV. Although repeat use of emergency contraception pills is safe, they should not replace a regular method of birth control as they do not work as well and can have more side effects. 

 
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