Levonorgestrel Pills for Emergency Contraception: Care instructions

Overview

Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal sex. One option is levonorgestrel pills, which are a kind of "morning-after" pill. For example, these pills can be used after:

• A condom breaks.
• You forgot to use your normal method of birth control.
• Sexual assault (rape).

When you get your emergency contraception, use it right away. The sooner you start the pills, the more likely they are to prevent pregnancy. But you canuse this method up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected vaginal sex. If you're already pregnant, the pills should not harm the pregnancy.

You can get emergency contraception pills without a prescription at most drugstores.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Emergency contraception pills work best if you take them right away or within 72 hours. But you can take them up to 5 days after unprotected vaginal sex.
• Be safe with medicines. Follow the directions on the package, or take the pill as your doctor tells you to. Don’t take this medicine if you are pregnant.
• Sometimes a headache or nausea can happen with this medicine. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pills, call your doctor for advice. You may need to repeat the dose.
• You may have some light bleeding (spotting) for a couple weeks after treatment. And your next period may start a few days earlier or later than you expect. If your next period doesn't start within 3 weeks after you use the pill, get a pregnancy test.
• If you want to continue to prevent pregnancy, talk to your doctor about a birth control method to use regularly that will work for you. You can resume or start any method of birth control right after using the levonorgestrel pill. If you use a hormonal method of birth control, also use condoms or another barrier method for the first 7 days.
• These pills won't prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms during sex can help reduce your risk of getting an STI. If you're worried that you might have been exposed to an STI, talk to your doctor.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You have severe vaginal bleeding. This means you are soaking through a pad each hour for 2 or more hours.
• You have sudden, severe pain in your belly.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You vomit within 3 hours of taking the pills. You may need to repeat the dose.
• You have new or worse pain in your belly.
• You have unexpected vaginal bleeding.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

• You think you might be pregnant.
• You think you may have been exposed to or have a sexually transmitted infection.