Dear kryptonite,

Emergency contraception (EC) is not recommended as a form of ongoing birth control because it's less effective than other forms of regular birth control. EC can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75 to 89 percent if started within 72 hours of unprotected sex. On the other hand, when used correctly, other forms of birth control — the pill, the shot, NuvaRing (the ring), and Ortho Evra (the patch) — are up to 99.7 percent effective against pregnancy.

Women who take EC may experience side effects, including nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, fluid retention, dizziness, and headaches. Also, frequent use of EC may cause periods to become irregular and unpredictable.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.