An Emergency Contraception Option: The Yuzpe Method Uses Birth Control Pills Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Sexual Health News What Is the Yuzpe Method of Emergency Contraception How to use extra birth control pills for emergency contraception if you can’t find Plan B or other methods quickly. By Cheryl AlkonMedically Reviewed by Kacy Church, MDJuly 8, 2022Medically ReviewedTaken within a few days of unprotected sex, certain oral contraception pills can delay or prevent ovulation and dramatically reduce the risk of pregnancy.Getty ImagesIf you’re worried about an unintended pregnancy immediately after unprotected sex, you can safely use existing birth control pills as emergency contraception (EC) right away, several reproductive health experts say. In what's known as the Yuzpe method, you take two doses (pills) of a combination estrogen and progestin oral contraceptive, 12 hours apart, says Michele Bosworth, MD. She coauthored an article about the practice published in 2014 in the journal American Family Physician while working for the department of family medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center. “This is a convenient method for patients to use pills they already have,” she says. Both doses of pills should be taken as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours (three days) of unprotected sex, and no later than 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, says Sarah Diemert, a nurse practitioner and the director of medical standards, integration and evaluation for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Reduce the Risk of Unplanned Pregnancy “Emergency contraceptive pills work by delaying or preventing ovulation,” Diemert says. “Using emergency contraception correctly after unprotected sex lowers the likelihood of getting pregnant.” While no contraceptive method can prevent pregnancy with 100 percent certainty, the Yuzpe method of combined oral contraceptives for emergency contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy by roughly 74 percent if started within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, Diemert says. For extra protection, she recommends using a backup form of birth control for seven days after taking emergency contraception. Yuzpe Works Only With Certain Brands of the Pill Only certain kinds of birth control pills that contain specific doses of both estrogen and progestin can be used in the Yuzpe method. Look up your brand of birth control pill to see how to use it, if needed, as emergency contraception. Using birth control pills this way may cause side effects. They can include nausea and vomiting. If you throw up within two hours after taking a pill, you should repeat the dose, Diemert says. Other side effects may include breast tenderness, fatigue, irregular bleeding, abdominal pain, headache, and dizziness. “These side effects usually taper off one or two days after taking the pills,” she says. While research in this area is limited, it is possible that the Yuzpe method may not be as effective in people who are overweight or obese, Dr. Bosworth says. RELATED: Find Affordable Birth Control and Emergency Contraception — Fast Emergency contraception will not work if a person is already pregnant, and it won’t harm an existing pregnancy. If your period arrives within your typical menstrual cycle as expected, you will know you are not pregnant. If your period is delayed, “follow routine practices for taking a pregnancy test, which is any time after it is determined that the menstrual period is late,” Bosworth says. Pregnancy tests detect a hormone called HCG, which is produced only when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus, called implantation. Besides a missed menstrual period, other signs of early pregnancy include nausea, fatigue, sore or enlarged breasts, headaches, and frequent urination. If you’re experiencing these, take a pregnancy test as soon as possible. If you want to keep using your birth control as ongoing contraception, make sure you continue to use it correctly. Once you have taken extra pills as emergency contraception, talk to your healthcare provider about the following, per Bosworth:Acquire enough of your needed birth control pills for ongoing contraception.Determine if you need testing for a sexually transmitted infection.Talk about whether your current contraception choice is the right one for you. Is it easy to use regularly?Ensure you are safe if you were involved in nonconsensual sex. The Yupze Method Is One of Several EC Options While there are other forms of emergency contraception, such as pills you can buy over the counter or pills or an IUD you can obtain from a healthcare provider, using what you already have at home is a better option than not doing anything. “Ultimately, if you can’t get the most effective type of emergency contraception, remember that using whichever method you can get is still better than not using anything at all,” says Diemert. “And timing is really important — you only have up to five days after unprotected sex to use emergency contraception, and sooner is better.” Overall, consistently using birth control is more effective than relying on emergency contraception, which is always a backup choice and should never be considered the main method of pregnancy prevention. “Taking contraception on a routine basis is more effective than using emergency contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies,” says Bosworth. “Women of childbearing age should talk to their doctor regularly about contraception whether they are currently sexually active or not. Proactively anticipating contraceptive needs is key and the best method is contraception taken on a routine basis.” NEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Sexual Health Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. The Latest in Sexual Health The Four Best At-Home STD Tests of 2022 At-home STD tests offer accurate results, and in some cases post-diagnosis care, without the need to leave your home. Check out our guide to the best ...By Chrissy HolmOctober 6, 2022 People Are Flocking to a Hotline With Their Miscarriage and Abortion QuestionsCalls to this free, anonymous service are up substantially since the fall of Roe v. Wade.By Meryl Davids LandauSeptember 23, 2022 8 Myths About Medication Abortion and Abortion PillsQuestions about medication abortion? Here we refute the many myths and give you the facts about this safe and effective procedure.By Meryl Davids LandauSeptember 21, 2022 Why Are U S Maternal Death Risks So High for Latinx Women Kristyn Brandi, MD, discusses what can be done to keep more women, but especially Hispanic women, alive — before, during, and after childbirth.By Cheryl AlkonSeptember 14, 2022 What Women Need to Know About Anal SexIt isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay — but anal play can be fun and pleasurable, as long as you take a few extra precautions.By Kaitlin SullivanSeptember 9, 2022 Boric Acid Suppositories Why Doctors Advise Against Use for Vaginal Odor or DiscomfortAs you may have seen on TikTok, boric acid suppositories placed in the vagina can help treat certain types of vaginal infections, but using them beyond...By Cathy GarrardSeptember 6, 2022 Stopping Menstrual Periods Is Safe Experts SayNew guidelines from a leading gynecologist group describe a wide variety of scenarios where menstrual suppression may be beneficial, including when people...By Meryl Davids LandauAugust 26, 2022 Why Isn t It Easier to Get Your Tubes Tied When women say they’re done having kids or don’t want them at all, many claim that doctors don’t want to offer them tubal ligation.By Cheryl AlkonAugust 25, 2022 First FDA-Approved Birth Control Wearable Tech Hits the MarketThe technology monitors fertility with an app and a smart device worn on the finger like a ring.By Lisa RapaportAugust 18, 2022 9 Things to Do Before Your Teen Leaves for College A Post-Roe Contraception ChecklistExpert advice on how to help young people access birth control, emergency contraception, and more when they’re away from home.By Becky UphamAugust 11, 2022 MORE IN Will the Loss of Abortion Rights Impact Access to Birth Control Common Misconceptions About Early Pregnancy Symptoms and Emergency Contraception First FDA-Approved Birth Control Wearable Tech Hits the Market