Can I take birth controls pills as emergency contraception?

Dear Desperate, 

The good news is that it is possible to use most birth control pills as emergency contraception (EC). However, you don’t need to take a month’s worth of your birth control pills to mimic EC. The appropriate amount varies by brand. You might find it helpful to research how to use your pills as EC or speak with a health care provider. The somewhat less good news is that, even if you correctly follow the dosage suggestions for how to use your birth control as EC, this method is less effective than others and can lead to more noticeable side effects. Ultimately, medical professionals recommend using this method only when no other options are available. 

What is emergency contraception (EC)? 

EC methods decrease your likelihood of conception (becoming pregnant). They’re typically taken in the form of a pill or inserted in the form of an intrauterine device (IUD) within a few days after having unprotected sex. These methods can only work before pregnancy actually begins. This means that EC doesn’t cause an abortion, but instead prevents you from ovulating, and getting pregnant in the first place. Many EC options use hormones to achieve this. To learn more about EC specifically, check out some basics about emergency contraception. 

Can you use birth control pills as EC? 

Whereas EC is designed to be used following unprotected sex, birth control pills are taken regularly (usually every day) to reduce your chance of pregnancy. Birth control pills use similar hormones to EC to stop ovulation from occurring. However, birth control pills usually contain smaller amounts of hormones than EC methods, since they’re meant to be taken more often. That said, you can use birth control pills as an EC technique within five days of having unprotected sex, but it’s important to take the correct amount. The dosage will vary based on which birth control pills you have, and the presence of a hormone called progestin. If you are planning to use birth control as EC, consider doing further research into the brand names to find out how many pills you may need to safely mimic EC. 

While you may be able to do some research on how to use birth control as EC, it’s recommended that you consult with a health care provider. You could schedule a follow-up with the provider who prescribed your birth control pills to you in the first place. They may advise you about how to correctly use these pills as EC. This could be a good opportunity to discuss if your current birth control method is working as expected and still compatible with your lifestyle. 

Is taking multiple birth control pills as effective as EC? 

Since birth control pills aren’t formulated to be used as EC, they’re generally a less successful option. Additionally, taking more birth control pills than the recommended dosage does not make them more effective as EC. Standard EC methods—those intended to be used as EC—are up to 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy when used as directed. However, taking birth control pills at the suggested doses for EC use is only around 74 percent effective at preventing pregnancy. 

Is taking multiple birth control pills safe? 

Luckily, you aren’t likely to become ill from taking more birth control pills than directed or prescribed. Since the hormones these pills contain occur naturally in your body, they’re not toxic. However, there are side effects that people taking birth control pills often face. Taking multiple pills can increase your chance of experiencing side effects, including: 

• Nausea 
• Vomiting 
• Headaches 
• Changes in your mood 
• Soreness or swelling in your chest 
• Abnormal bleeding from your vagina (also known as spotting) 

List adapted from Cleveland Clinic 

What are some alternative methods of contraception? 

If birth control pills don’t quite fit your lifestyle, you may find long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) options more suitable both as a contraceptive method or as a form of emergency contraception. For more about these alternatives, consider checking out the Birth Control Options – Medication and Long-acting Reversible Contraception fact sheet. You might even find it helpful to compare the various birth control methods side-by-side! Since the days leading up to and during ovulation are the most likely time to get pregnant, it may also be useful to track your ovulation. It’s worth noting that none of these options prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, consider using a barrier contraceptive method together with your contraception to help reduce the risk of both pregnancy and STIs. 

Hope knowing more about the pill helps you chill!