effectiveness of Emergency Contra. - Sexual Health - General Message Board

the kid · 04-22-2003, 08:24 PM

hi everybody,

i hav a few questions...

How effective would the pill be if my gf took it within 20 hours of sex?

we didn't really have sex though, our genitals rubbed against each others and my penis went like 1 inch into her. I guess I can say I was partially in vagina. I didn't ***, but had a lil precum. But I think the fact that we had oral before it kinda got rid of some precum. I kno the risk remains, but we got worried and went to get emergency contraception within 20 hrs. I think the chances are quite small (an inch or less penetration, no ejaculation, emergency contraception within 20 hrs.), but the risk remains.

THanks

wrin · 04-22-2003, 10:15 PM

TEENY.

But you're gonna freak out over it anyway, I'll bet.

Maybe it'd be a good idea to use CONDOMS and get her on the pill? Peace of mind, and all that jazz?

Apollo · 04-22-2003, 10:30 PM

Um, I know it was a good idea to get the ECP, but it has alot of painful side effects. I mean, don't think it's a back up, it was first made, for rape victim, or sexual assualt victims, not for some teenager ho had a little run around, and forgot to use protection. I'm ot baggin on you or anything, but you should not rely on ever taking the ECP. It's like a last chance thing. I hear they are up to 5 days, and still being effective. Smart move, but not well researched.

------------------
Personal Information:
Sex: Male
Age: Under the age of 18
Sexually active

Thisby · 04-22-2003, 11:15 PM

Not everyone has side effects from ECPs and I've used them a few times and have never suffered from a single side effect. Saying "a lot of painful side effects" is a little histrionic. I would not let that discourage anyone from using it if they need to.
ECPs use the same hormones that are found in regular birth control pills, just in a much higher dose. If you are afraid she might get pregnant, you have 72 hours from intercourse (or whatever you did) to start taking the 2 rounds of pills. At 20 hours, they're about as effective as they're gonna get (which is very).

Apollo, I think you're being a little hard on him. So what if they were originally intended for rape victims, that's hardly a reason to discourage their use now. People use them all the time for a variety of reasons, and theirs is a perfectly good one. Would you rather people take their chances after unprotected sex, condom failure, or missed regualr BC pills? People have accidents or make mistakes all the time. This is EXACTLY what they are made for.

Kid, if you want to be sure she doesn't get pregnant, she should take the pills. You'll both sleep easier, and next time, get some condoms.

Greenoctopus18 · 04-23-2003, 12:32 AM

I say it sounds like it was a 'last chance thing'.

The effectiveness depends on how long after sex it is taken and where she was in her cycle. If around the date of ovulation the chances of pregnancy are increased slightly, I think. If the egg is already on its way the EBC still makes the conditions unfavourable for the egg to attach, but it can't stop it from being released.

Progestin-only EBC pills reduce the risk of becoming pregnant by about 90%, and up to 95 percent if taken within 24 hours of having unprotected sex.

I took a combined Emergency contraceptive about 6 months ago that only had a 75% reduction of risk if taken in the first 24 hours. It also caused lots of nausea. I was prescribed 'maxolon' too for preventing vomiting.

I took the Progestin-only type a few months ago and had no side-effects at all.

EBC pills allow you to take responsibility for your actions; your mistake of having unprotected sex.
So I can't see any problem with taking it morally or ethically. It woudln't be prescribed in the first place if it had any great risks physically.

Something to remember:
EBC may mess up her cycle, so if she doesn't get her period on time, you don't necessarily have to worry.
I always take a home pregnancy test even after I have my period just to be sure it all worked ok.

I would definatley start using the pill and/or condoms.
Both times I have taken EBC I have taken my normal daily BC pills perfectly, it was just the condom that failed.
I wouldn't take the chance.

[This message has been edited by Greenoctopus18 (edited 04-23-2003).]