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| |    How to Prevent Pregnancy after Having Unprotected Sex by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. reviewed by Marjorie Greenfield, M.D. Did you know that there are birth control methods that can be effective if used up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse? If you didn't know this, you're not alone. While methods (protocols) of postcoital contraception have been available for decades, publicity has been scanty, and many couples who could have benefited from these methods have instead had to deal with the tough, sometimes life-altering decisions that are generated by an unintended pregnancy. How does emergency contraception work? The basic understanding of emergency contraception has been in place since the 1960s, when it was developed to treat rape survivors. Since then, research has shown many emergency contraception regimens to be effective, with a slim 1-2 percent failure (pregnancy) rate, compared with an 8 percent chance of getting pregnant with one act of intercourse during a woman's fertile period in her menstrual cycle. These methods work by preventing ovulation, by disrupting the process of sperm meeting egg, and by making the uterine lining unable to support implantation. Other names for these protocols include "the morning after pill" and "interception." Who needs emergency contraception? Slippage or breakage of a barrier method, like condoms, and regret after failure to use a method of birth control are the two most common reasons people request postcoital contraception. Women who have been raped also would benefit from information about emergency contraception, providing yet another good reason why they should not hesitate to seek medical care. If I think I need postcoital contraception, how do I go about getting it? In the United States, methods of emergency contraception are available by prescription only. If you feel that you need to use one of these methods, the first person to call is your primary care doctor, gynecologist, or midwife. Keep in mind that you face a great time pressure--these methods are most effective when used within a day or two after unprotected sex. If you don't have a personal physician or are not able to reach your primary practitioner, consider contacting a local family planning clinic. Or call the Emergency Contraception Hotline at 1-888-668-2528 to find out where in your region you can obtain emergency contraception.
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