Emergency contraception: Top five facts

Whether the condom slipped your mind or off the penis, it's usually followed by some frantic calculations ('Could I be fertile right now?') and a rush to the pharmacy in search of a ‘morning-after pill’. But there are many options, so don't panic…
1) E-pill
The emergency pill, or e-pill, is available over the counter at pharmacies in Kenya so you don’t need a doctor's prescription. The e-pill is very effective in preventing pregnancies after unprotected sex, if you take it as soon as possible.
With some brands, you take one pill; with others, you will have to take two, 12-hours apart. Check with the pharmacist or a healthcare professional for the right instructions. Some women have side-effects like nausea and vomiting when they take the e-pill. Also, it could have an effect on the timing of your next period. And remember: the “e” stands for emergency – the e-pill should not be used as a normal contraception method.
2) When to take the e-pill
The e-pill is most effective if it's taken as soon as possible after you had unprotected sex . Many health care providers even suggested getting an emergency pill and keeping it at home just in case.
However the e-pill can still be effective if you take it 72 hours after sex.
3) Is the e-pill an abortion pill?
No. The e-pill is not an abortion pill. The e-pill works in various ways, but can't do anything if an egg is already fertilized. If you take the e-pill before ovulation, the e-pill tricks your body into thinking that ovulation has already happened, so it delays ovulation. It also thickens the mucus on your cervix, making it hard for sperm to get into the womb. That way it stops you from getting pregnant.
If you already are pregnant and take the e-pill, it will have no negative effects on your pregnancy.
4) IUDs as emergency contraception
Another very effective method of emergency contraception is fitting a Copper-T IUD, also known as the ‘coil’. Actually, it's the most effective form of emergency contraception. You need to see a doctor though to have it put in place, and it can be a bit pricey. The Copper-T (Paragard) has one potential additional advantage: it can stay in a woman's body for up to 10 years afterwards as a normal and super-effective birth control method.
5) The Yuzpe-method
You can also take some brands of combined oral contraceptives ('the pill') in higher doses. This is called the Yuzpe-method. But because the side-effects are high and it's not very effective, you should look into other methods rather than this one. Even taking higher doses of progestogen-only pills ('the mini-pill') is more effective than the Yuzpe-method, but can also have lots of side-effects. So you should talk to a healthcare provider before using either method.