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Lets begin with defining what unprotected sex can be. Perhaps a couple was swept away by the passion of the moment and had unprotected sex. A woman was forced to have unprotected sex. The man or woman's condom broke or slipped during sex. He couldn't pull out in time. It could be that the cervical cap or diaphragm slipped out of place during sex. Maybe the woman forgot to take her birth control pills for more than two days in a row or miscalculated her cycle using the fertility awareness method.
All of these can happen at any age to any couple. The most important factor is to get information about the options available as soon as possible. Find someone you trust and discuss it with them. It could be a friend who has been through similar circumstances. Trusted parents or family member, neighbors, teachers or school counselor are good places to go to as well. Carefully choose whom you are going to share this with.
In the US a doctor must prescribe ECPs. Many health clinics also provide them. Anything that you tell either a doctor or a counselor is in strictest confidence and will not be discussed with anyone else without your permission. This includes parents, other people in your family, teachers, doctors, and social workers.
Emergency contraception is not birth control. There are other safer and effective methods of birth control that women can use on a regular basis to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception keeps a woman from getting pregnant by stopping ovulation, or stopping the ovaries from releasing eggs that can be fertilized. It can also prevent fertilization by keeping the egg from being fertilized by the sperm. And lastly it can prevent implantation, or it stops a fertilized egg from attaching itself to the wall of the uterus.
One type of emergency contraception is often called the morning after pill. This is mistaken because emergency contraceptives are never taken as one pill, the "morning after." They are taken in two doses, 12 hours apart. They work best if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Basically the pills are higher doses of hormones than those contained in birth control pills. Some kinds of emergency contraceptives can have only one hormone, progestin, or can have two hormones, estrogen and progestin. If a woman can't take estrogen or is breastfeeding, she can use progestin-only emergency contraceptives. It may cause very severe mood swings and the taker is going to be a bit rattled. Some women have nausea and vomiting after taking them and there is a prescription medication that will help control the nausea. It's important to keep taking the pills even if there is severe nausea. If the course of pills are not all taken the pregnancy may not be prevented. After taking the contraceptives the following menstruation may come sooner or later than usual. Blood flow also may be different - heavier, lighter, or more spotty than normal. It's imperative to use another method of birth control if there is to be sex any time before the next period starts.
The other method is the insertion of an Intra Uterine Device or IUD. This can be done in a doctor's office but you will need a ride home afterwards. Neither one can prevent STD's nor cause abortions, however, both can prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg.
Emergency contraception will not work if pregnancy has already occurred. It will also not work if there is an ectopic pregnancy. This happenes when the fertilized egg begins to grow outside of the uterus. It's also an extremely serious condition that can be fatal. Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually include extreme pain on one or both sides of the lower abdomen, spotting blood, and feeling dizzy or faint. If you think you have an ectopic pregnancy, go to an emergency room right away.
Many women and couples wonder is emergency contraception is an abortion? No. It's a form of pregnancy prevention. The "abortion pills" Mifeprex (mifepristone) also called RU-486 work after a pregnancy has occurred. Or after a fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. These pills cause the uterus to expel the egg, ending the pregnancy.
For some women as well as couples emergency contraceptives can be a moral dilemma that could affect them the rest of their lives. Seeking the counsel of a trusted and experienced member of your faith can be invaluable when it comes to making a tough decision. While some churches judge and condemn this practice others can be afraid to even discuss it. Know that many of the faithful have walked this path. Don't be afraid or ashamed to ask the doctor or nurse to help you. They should be able to put you in touch with a pastor or priest who can offer some well informed support.
Please be aware that there are rare times when others need to be involved, but this is only when a doctor or counselor feels that a young girl's life is seriously at risk. When this is the case, they will always discuss it with you first.
Many thanks to icicle and BlueDragon for their suggestions and additional important information.
Sources:
National Women's Health Information Center :
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/econtracep.htm
Professional experience.
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