How does ec affect your period

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Does the morning after pill affect your period? Learn more about emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy for women who've had unprotected sex or whose birth control method has failed.

The morning-after pill is intended for backup contraception only, not as a primary method of birth control. Morning-after pills contain either levonorgestrel Plan B One-Step, Aftera, others or ulipristal acetate ella. Levonorgestrel is available over-the-counter without a prescription; ulipristal acetate is available only with a prescription. Morning-after pills can help prevent pregnancy if you've had unprotected sex — either because you didn't use birth control, you missed a birth control pill, you were sexually assaulted or your method of birth control failed.

Morning-after pills do not end a pregnancy that has implanted. They work primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation. Keep in mind that the morning-after pill isn't the same as mifepristone Mifeprex , also known as RU or the abortion pill. This drug terminates an established pregnancy — one in which the fertilized egg has attached to the uterine wall and has begun to develop.

Emergency contraception is an effective option for preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex, but it isn't as effective as other methods of contraception and isn't recommended for routine use.

Also, the morning-after pill can fail even with correct use, and it offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections. If you're overweight or obese, there's some indication that the morning-after pill won't be as effective in preventing pregnancy as it is for women who aren't overweight. Also, make sure you're not pregnant before using ulipristal.

The effects of ulipristal on a developing baby are unknown. If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won't tell your parents or carer as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given, and the decisions you're making. Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they won't make you.

The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.

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