Emergency Contraception

Morning-After Pill (Plan B)

The Morning-After Pill works similarly to other hormonal methods of birth control. If you are in the first half of your cycle or nearing the time of ovulation, the medication will try to suppress ovulation. Secondly, the medication attempts to interferes with the natural movement of the sperm through cervical mucus changes. However, if ovulation has already occurred, the drugs work by irritating the lining of the uterus., As a result, implantation is not possible, resulting in embryo expulsion (early abortion).

Common side effects are nausea and vomiting. Other health problems include increased risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, which can be very dangerous and even life-threatening if left untreated.

Ella

Ella is an emergency contraceptive that works in several ways. Ella can prevent ovulation, it can change the cervical mucus so that sperm cannot reach the egg, and it can prevent implantation of the already fertilized egg (resulting in an early abortion). In a pregnancy which has already implanted, Ella can work similar to RU-486 by blocking progesterone and causing the uterus to degrade. Therefore, the embryo that is already implanted will not receive proper nutrition and die.

Common side effects include headache, nausea, abdominal pain, tiredness, dizziness, and/or painful menstrual periods.  If you are experiencing severe lower abdominal pain, you need to seek immediate medical attention.