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The Emergency Contraception Website - Your website for the "Morning After"

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About...

Safety

Can I use emergency contraception even if I've been told I shouldn't use daily birth control pills?


Yes, most women can safely use emergency contraceptive pills - even if you have been told that the hormones found in oral contraceptives could increase your risk of blood clots, stroke, heart disease, or other cardiovascular problems. Medical experts agree that when used as emergency contraception, the estrogen and progestin do not carry the same risks as taking the birth control pill every day.


If your health care provider has said you should absolutely avoid estrogen, you can probably still use one of the three other types of emergency contraception: progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills (like Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, or My Way), ulipristal acetate (ella) or the Copper-T IUD.


Emergency contraceptive pills ("morning after pills" or "day after pills") have no long term or serious side effects although you might experience some minor side effects.


For a more detailed academic review of the medical and social science literature about emergency contraception, including its safety record, click here .

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This website is operated by the Office of Population Research at Princeton University and by the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals and has no connection with any pharmaceutical company or for-profit organization.

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