Does emergency contraception cause an early abortion?
ECPs cannot cause an abortion if the woman is already pregnant. Medical science considers that a pregnancy has begun once implantation of a fertilized egg in the lining of a woman’s uterus is complete. The process of implantation begins about five days after fertilization and is completed about one week later, around the time of the expected menses. ECPs are ineffective once implantation has begun. How safe are available ECPs? ECPs are safe for all women. Although some women- those at risk of stroke, heart disease, blood clots, or other cardiovascular problems- should not use combined oral contraceptives on a regular basis, medical experts believe emergency use of birth control pills does not carry the same risks. There have been no reported deaths or serious complications involving ECPs in over three decades of use. How effective is emergency contraception? ECPs are more effective the sooner they are used. ECPs reduce the chance of pregnancy by between 74 and 85 percent, depending on
