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         Working with adolescents to help them prevent unintended pregnancies is challenging. To date, we have relied on the tools at our disposal to help youth establish goals for their futures: understand the immediate and long-term consequences of their behaviors; and consider sex in the context of healthy relationships. We have also promoted abstinence and informed teens about contraception, especially condoms. We now have another tool to work with, Emergency Contraception (EC), a method to help women avoid pregnancy and abortion after unprotected intercourse.

    The good news is that EC is safe and legal. It is FDA approved and has been used in the United States and Europe for decades. The bad news is that many people have not heard of EC. The pill is often miss labeled as the morning after pill. EC can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, but it works best when taken within 24 to 72 hours.

The Facts on EC

1. EC does not disrupt an established pregnancy

2. EC contains the same hormones as ordinary birth control pills

3. EC must be obtained through a prescription from a health care practitioner if you are 17 and under.    

4. EC can be bought Over the Counter at Drug Stores by individuals 18 and older.

5. EC works by delaying the release of eggs from the ovaries

6. EC has the potential to avert half of all unintended pregnancies

7. EC if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex reduces the risk of pregnancy by 75-89%

Linda Simkin MPhil, Emergency contraception Building awareness among adolescents.

For more information regarding EC visit this site: http://www.backupyourbirthcontrol.org/

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Support of this web site is provided by March of Dimes and Family Planning Center
This site created by Triad Consultants, LLC

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