Family Planning

CHAPTER 3EmergencyContraceptive PillsKey Points for Providers and ClientsóóóóóEmergency contraceptive pills help to prevent pregnancywhen taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The soonerthey are taken, the better.Do not disrupt an existing pregnancy.Safe for all women—even women who cannot use ongoinghormonal contraceptive methods.Provide an opportunity for women to start using anongoing family planning method.Many options can be used as emergency contraceptivepills. Dedicated products, progestin-only pills, and combined oralcontraceptives all can act as emergency contraceptives.3Emergency Contraceptive PillsWhat Are Emergency Contraceptive Pills?óóóPills that contain a progestin alone, or a progestin and an estrogentogether—hormones like the natural hormones progesterone andestrogen in a woman’s body.Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are sometimes called “morning after”pills or postcoital contraceptives.Work primarily by preventing or delaying the release of eggs from theovaries (ovulation). They do not work if a woman is already pregnant(see Question 1, p. 54).Emergency Contraceptive Pills45