With the Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of a new emergency contraception option, women may be wondering which type of emergency contraception would be best for them. Emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill, may be recognizable by the brand names Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, and ella® . This medication can be taken up to 120 hours following unprotected intercourse and is typically comprised of progestin, a hormone found in birth control pills. Emergency contraception works by preventing a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs, and may also prevent pregnancy by thickening cervical mucus (http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-4363.asp).
With these options, when would a woman use ella® instead of Plan B or Next Choice? The Emergency Contraception Website (http://www.ec.princeton.edu) points out that these medications are all effective and both work primarily by delaying or inhibiting ovulation. Both Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are available from a pharmacist if a woman is 17 years of age or older, but ella® is prescription only regardless of age. ella® is, however, more effective than the other two choices, particularly on the fourth or fifth day following unprotected sex. The Emergency Contraception Website also notes that ella® is more effective closer to ovulation than Plan B or Next Choice, at a time when women are most at risk of pregnancy and most likely to have sex.
The Emergency Contraception Website suggests considering the following things when deciding which method of emergency contraception to use:
- Effectiveness: ella® is more effective, especially on the fourth and fifth day.
- Plan B and Next Step decline in effectiveness as time progresses, but Ella® does not.
- Timing of unprotected sex: If it occurred on a weekend or a holiday, it may make sense to receive the medication from a pharmacist rather than waiting to get a prescription.
- An online prescription service for ella® does exist, http://www.ella® -kwikmed.com/
- This offers you two options:
- You could complete an extensive online diagnostic assessment and consultation with a fully licensed physician. Once the physician approves the assessment, make the purchase by utilizing a debit/credit card and next day delivery is through Federal Express.
- You could complete the online process above and during the consultation approval phase have the physician fax the prescription to your local pharmacy. Prior to contacting KwikMed, please check with the pharmacy to ensure that they have ella® in stock to purchase.
- Availability: Because ella® is a new option, not all pharmacies will carry it. Some pharmacies may not stock emergency contraception at all.
- Cost: Emergency contraception can be expensive. Plan B and Next Choice may cost between $35 and $60, and ella® may cost at least $55.
Ultimately, the decision about which emergency contraception method is best will have to be determined by the personal circumstances of the woman who is to take it, as well as when she can get the medication.
