25: Emergency Contraception - Level Two

Welcome back to Six Minute Sex Ed, the podcast that helps families talk about sex and relationships, hosted by Sex Education teacher, Kim Cavill: //www.teaandintimacy.com/ This episode is Level Two, which makes it more complex than my level one episodes and especially great for tweens and teens. We’re going to talk about Emergency Contraception. What is it? Emergency contraception is birth control taken up to five days after risky sex in order to prevent pregnancy. There are three kinds: two pills and the copper IUD. How does it work? Levonelle prevents ovulation, Ulipristal blocks the body’s own hormones, and the Copper IUD prevents sperm from reaching the egg. See a copper IUD here: //teenhealthsource.com/birthcontrol/copper-iud-details/ How Effective is it? Levonelle is 95% effective in the first 12 hours after risky/unprotected sex, then steadily drops in efficacy (85% after 48 hours, 58% after 72 hours). Ullipristal is 95% effective for five days after risky/unprotected sex. The Copper IUD is 99.9% effective for five days after risky/unprotected sex, making it the most effective form of EC available. Side effects: All three interventions are very safe and side effects are very rare, though they include irregular bleeding, upset stomach, and headaches. Some medical conditions make EC unsafe to take, so it’s important to speak to a doctor to check it’s safe: if you can’t reach your doctor, text “PPNOW" to 774636 (PPINFO) text with someone from Planned Parenthood who can help. Side effects of the copper IUD include temporary cramping, spotting, and heavier or more painful periods. Tips: Because levonelle is time sensitive, it’s a good idea to have a dose on hand, before it’s actually needed, just make sure it’s available. You can also use some forms of the birth control pill as emergency contraception, but ONLY if taken according to very specific guidelines and it’s less effective than the other options I’ve talked about, so make sure to speak to a doctor before trying this method. Know your rights by educating yourself about the laws in your state: //www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/emergency-contraception For more info about emergency contraception, check out: //www.scarleteen.com/article/sexual_health/emergency_contraception?language=es Conversation starters: What are the state laws about emergency contraception where you live? Why is it a good idea to have a dose on hand before it’s actually needed? Email questions for the upcoming mailbag episode to sixminutesexed@gmail.com