Medical science defines the beginning of pregnancy as the point at which a fertilized egg becomes successfully implanted in the uterus. EBC is not an abortifacient because it cannot cause an abortion in a woman who is already pregnant.

EBC Pills and the Copper-T Intrauterine Device (IUD) are the two kinds of EBC current available.

EBC pills are commonly known as 'The Morning After' pill, but this term is misleading because EBC pills can be taken up to 3 days after having unprotected sex. EBC pills are not the same as the French abortion pill known as RU-486, and they will not cause an abortion.

EBC pills contain exactly the same drugs as regular birth control pills, only in higher doses, and work in exactly the same way. Like regular birth control pills, there are two kinds of EBC pills: those that contain a combination of the drugs estrogen and progestin, and those that contain progestin only. Progestin-only EBC pills are newer and more effective than combination EBC pills, and have fewer side effects.

EBC pills have been available for over 25 years. In the past, doctors simply prescribed regular birth control pills in high doses as emergency birth control, and this practice continues today. While this method is satisfactory in many cases, the advantage of using EBC pills such as Preven and Plan B is that their dosages are specifically designed to maximize effectiveness while minimizing side effects.

EBC pills are highly effective and work exactly like regular birth control pills, and they can safely used to prevent pregnancy in an emergency. They do not cause abortions. In fact, according to Planned Parenthood, widespread awareness and use of EBC pills could prevent 1.7 million unwanted pregnancies and 800,000 abortions every year in the United States.

EBC pills should only be used in emergencies and not as a regular form of birth control. They are not as effective as regular birth control pills, and they have unpleasant side effects. If you are having sex regularly, regular birth control pills are the safest, most comfortable, most effective, and least expensive method of preventing unwanted pregnancy.

The copper-t IUD is a highly effective form of emergency birth control.

On average, the EBC IUD will reduce the risk of becoming pregnant by over 99 percent, and it can be used up to five days after having unprotected sex.

A gynecologist or clinician must insert your IUD, and there are risks of infection associated with use of IUDs that can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility.

These risks are generally manageable under the supervised care of your gynecologist, and some IUDs can be left in for up to 10 years to provide ongoing birth control. For emergency purposes, however, the safety, convenience and affordability of EBC pills can make them a better option. Ask your doctor to find out which solution is right for you.