Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP), also known as the "morning after pill", are synthetic progesterone hormones, which are used to reduce the risk of pregnancy. ECP should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse.
The sooner ECP is taken the better. ECP reduces the risk of pregnancy by approximately 89% when taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.
How do I get ECP?
ECP is available without a prescription at the Student Health Center Pharmacy for women 18 years old or older with identification. For women under 18, ECP is available during nurse assessment hours, by appointment, or by phone from Women's Health Services or Primary Care Services.
By Appointment for Women Under 18:
Call 212-443-1166 to make an appointment with Women's Health Services.
Monday - Tuesday: 8am - 8pm
Wednesday - Thursday: 8am - 6pm
Friday: 10am - 6pm
By Phone:
If you have been a patient with Women's Health Services at SHC, in many cases your provider may be able to write a prescription for ECP without having you come in for an appointment. Call 212-443-1166 to speak with your provider.
Outside SHC:
ECP is also available from Planned Parenthood, other women's health and family planning centers, and pharmacies or by calling 1-888-NOT-2-LATE. ECP is not available at convenience stores or gas stations.
When is ECP needed?
- The condom (male or female) broke or slipped off, and he ejaculated inside your vagina
- You didn't use any form of birth control
- The diaphragm or cervical cap became dislodged and he ejaculated inside your vagina
- You forgot to take your birth control pills
- You miscalculated your "safe days"
- He didn't pull out in time
- You were late for your Depo Provera injection
- You were forced to have sex
How does ECP work?
ECP disrupts the natural hormone patterns necessary for pregnancy to occur by:
- Preventing or delaying ovulation
- Preventing fertilization of an egg
- Producing changes in the lining of the uterus than can prevent implantation of a fertilized egg
Facts about ECP
Before you take Emergency Contraceptive Pills, be sure you understand both the benefits and the possible problems of using ECPs. These facts also list the danger signs you should watch for. If you have any questions as you read this information, call Women's Health Services at 212-443-1166 and we will be happy to talk about them with you.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills are hormonal pills (similar to birth control pills) that you take to try to prevent pregnancy after you have unprotected vaginal intercourse (birth control method fails, no birth control method used).
The pills should be started within 72 hours of unprotected vaginal intercourse. The sooner they are taken, the more effective in preventing pregnancy they will be.
These emergency pills prevent pregnancy about 76-99% of the time, depending on when, in the cycle, unprotected intercourse takes place. However, this method fails to prevent pregnancy in some cases, because:
- a fertilized egg already has implanted in the uterus
- too much time passed since unprotected vaginal intercourse
- failure of the drug itself
You should not use these pills if you are (or think you are) already pregnant because they will not work. However, if you are pregnant, or if the pills fail and pregnancy occurs, there have not been any reports of serious side effects to the woman or to the fetus from taking the pills.
Some reactions to these pills (for about 24 hours) may include:
- nausea and/or vomiting
- abdominal pain
- fatigue
- breast tenderness
- irregular bleeding
- headache or dizziness
To prevent feeling sick to your stomach or throwing up:
- do not take the pills on an empty stomach
- you can get something for nausea at the drugstore without a prescription (like Dramamine® or Bonamine®) to take about an hour before taking ECPs
- time taking the pills so that you take the second dose before going to bed, if you can
Your next period could be early or late, or could be lighter or heavier. If you use ECPs more than once in a monthly cycle, the chance of having problems with your next period will be even greater.
If you see a clinician for any reason before you get your next period, you should tell him/her that you have taken ECPs.
It is important to think of a more reliable form of ongoing birth control if you are at risk of unintended pregnancy. After using ECP, some women continue on birth control pills or use an IUD. Ask your clinician about your future birth control options.
Having unprotected sex may have put you at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and a serious infection could cause sterility. If you think you could be at risk for STIs, you should talk to your clinician about getting tested.
You should seek care four weeks after taking these pills for a checkup if you have not had a normal period, if you feel like you could be pregnant, or if you have any early signs of pregnancy (such as feeling sick to your stomach, feeling very tired, breast swelling or tenderness).
Call the Student Health Center (212-443-1166) if you:
- have questions;
- think you have a problem;
- are so sick to your stomach or are throwing up so much that you can't take the second dose of pills.
When the Student Health Center is closed, you may contact NYU Public Safety at 212-998-2222 if you experience any of the above symptoms or if you have any concern that can't wait until the Student Health Center reopens. NYU Public Safety will put you in contact with the NYU Medical Center Emergency Room.
Go to an Emergency Room immediately if you have any early pregnancy danger signs, such as:
- Possible Tubal (Ectopic) Pregnancy: Sudden pain, or pain that lasts, or strong cramps low in your abdomen, usually on one side or the other - with or without bleeding; fainting or dizziness that lasts more than a few seconds (could be a sign of bleeding inside your abdomen).
- Possible Miscarriage: Heavy bleeding, sometimes with clots, pieces of tissue or bad cramps; a period that is heavy and longer; fever, or pain in your abdomen.