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January 2001
Accidents, Mistakes, and How to Handle Them:
Even the safest methods of birth control have small margins of error, so if you're a sexually active person, you need to be prepared for the possibility that something could go wrong. While it's easy to get paralyzed by panic, the best plan of action post-unprotected sex is to act fast - the sooner you see a health care provider, the more options you'll have.
If you've had unprotected sex within the past three days, or if you fear your birth control method failed:
You should know about the option of emergency contraception.
What it is: Emergency contraception is a back-up method of birth control. It's a short, strong combination of birth control pills that prevent pregnancy from occurring by inhibiting or delaying ovulation. Emergency contraception does not terminate an established pregnancy; but it reduces the chances of becoming pregnant by between 75-88%.
When to take it: It needs to be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. So act immediately!
How to get it: Since emergency contraception isn't available "over the counter," you can't just walk into a drug store to get it. You need to contact a health care provider or clinic. Some doctors may ask you to come in for a visit; others (including Planned Parenthood) will screen women over the phone and call in prescriptions to a local pharmicist.
Side Effects: The FDA has declared the use of emergency contraception to be both "safe" and "effective." Short-term nausea and vomiting are the only known side effects: the risk of nausea is 23 percent with progestin-only pills, and 51 percent with combined pills; the risk of vomiting is 6 percent with progestin-only pills, and 19 percent with combined pills.
For more information: Call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE, or go to www.not-2-late.com. These sources provide the names and phone numbers of more than 3,200 providers around the country who prescribe emergency contraception. Also, call the Planned Parenthood Hotline at 1-800-230-PLAN.
If you think you might be pregnant:
You need to take a pregnancy test as soon as you can.
How to get it: You can get a pregnancy test through your health care provider, through a clinic such as Planned Parenthood, or by buying one at the drugstore. If you use a home test, be extra careful about following the directions on the package.
When to take it: The earlier, the better. However, you may not be able to get a perfectly accurate result right away, so if your test is negative, plan to take another one again in a week. If your test is positive, make sure to visit your health care provider immediately. That way you can get a confirmation exam and medical advice right away.
For more information: Call your health care provider or the Planned Parenthood Hotline at 1-800-230-PLAN. Planned Parenthood can direct you towards confidential testing and information.
If you are pregnant:
You need to talk with a health care provider about your choices.
Your choices are: continuing your pregnancy and keeping your child; having the baby and putting it up for adoption; or having an abortion. Figuring out what to do about an unplanned pregnancy is a complicated, big decision-one that could affect you for the rest of your life. That means it's wise to consult with your family, your doctor, your partner, and any other adult advisors whom you trust. If you decide to continue the pregnancy, it is very important to get the right prenatal care.
For more information: Call the Planned Parenthood Hotline at 1-800-230-PLAN (www.plannedparenthood.org) for counseling on pregnancy options, abortion and adoption referrals; call the National Abortion Federation Hotline at 800-772-9100 for referrals to clinics that perform abortions; call the National Council for Adoption (www.ncfa-usa.org) for information about adoption.
it's your (sex) life is brought to you in partnership with the Kaiser Family
Foundation, an independent, non-profit health care philanthropy.The content
of this site was prepared by staff of the Foundation. MTV and
the Foundation have joined forces to provide information on important sexual
health issues to MTV viewers and online users. The Kaiser Family Foundation
is not affiliated with Kaiser Permanente or any other Kaiser Industries.
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