Morning after pill: Sisters are doing it for themselves

Let's face it, unprotected sex does happen and sometimes, with a bit of bad luck, condoms can break and situations can arise where a woman may need emergency contraception. This kind of contraception is used after sex but before you are pregnant. If you are unsure about talking with the pharmacist or GP for any reason – don't be. It's nothing to get nervous about. In fact, 3 out of 4 unwanted pregnancies could be prevented if all women used emergency contraception after unprotected sex, and many abortions could also be avoided. The power is yours.

Eggs over easy: The right time to use it

Did you know there is a small time period after sex in which a woman is not yet pregnant? This happens for several reasons. An egg can only be fertilised when it leaves the ovaries and reaches the womb. So even though wily sperm can loiter around the womb, flowers in hand, for up to five days after unprotected sex, the egg still needs to show up for the date in order for conception to occur.

And even if an egg does become fertilised, it needs to become implanted into the womb wall, which only happens several days after the egg is fertilised. Many fertilised eggs do not implant in the womb, and when the egg does not implant within a seven-day timeframe, the woman does not become pregnant.

How do they work?

There are three types of emergency contraceptive, and they work in slightly different ways.

The morning after pill contains oestrogen and/or progesterone, the same hormones contained in the contraceptive pill or injection, just in a much greater dose. They work by preventing ovulation (meaning they prevent a woman's egg from leaving her ovaries), so the egg cannot be fertilised and the sperm are jilted at the altar. However, it's only effective in the first half of your menstrual cycle because you haven't yet ovulated.

The intrauterine device is inserted inside a woman's uterus or womb to cause the lining of the womb to change so that it is not receptive to a fertilised egg. If the egg can't get comfortable in the womb, then you cannot get pregnant.

Mifepristone (also known as RU486) blocks the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, an embryo cannot implant or stay implanted in the lining of the uterus.

Only the morning after pill and the IUD are available as emergency contraception in Australia. To receive a prescription for mifepristone, you must talk to your GP.

Success rate

Emergency contraceptives are less effective than permanent contraceptive methods like the pill. However, they do still prevent 75% of unwanted pregnancies.

If a condom breaks, if you were unprepared, or if you were sexually assaulted, you are able to approach your pharmacist about using these methods. But you cannot rely on these methods frequently.

The earlier you use an emergency contraceptive, the better. If you are unsure whether you can still use one, you may still have time. For example, the morning after pill is 85–90% effective if used within 24 hours. Even though the effectiveness drops to 60% after three days, it is still an option.

Also remember, if you have unprotected sex again immediately – you are not protected. You must talk to your doctor about regular contraception.

Am I allowed?

Of course. All women who have had unprotected sex can use emergency contraceptive methods within five days, even women who cannot take the pill. The morning after pill is available over the counter, so all you need to do is talk to a pharmacist to get yourself sorted. For the IUD, you must go see your GP, who will be able to insert it if it's suitable for you.

When sooner equals better

While these methods are effective, they really are for emergencies. Nowhere else is the saying 'the sooner the better' more applicable. If you are getting into the swing of sex, though, you should consider using a permanent contraceptive.

If the unprotected sex was as a result of assault or coercion, there are many people you are able to talk to. If you don't know where to start, ask your GP. The power really is yours.