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ECP - Ovral

What is Ovral®?

Ovral® is a type of Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) that can be used by a woman to prevent pregnancy. Ovral® can be taken after unprotected vaginal intercourse or a known or suspected birth control failure (i.e. broken condom, missed pills). It contains the hormones estrogen and progestin. Ovral® is most effective if you take it as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, but can be used up to 120 hours (5 days) after to prevent pregnancy.

Is Ovral® the only type of ECP?

There are two main types of ECP being used in Canada. Ovral® uses two hormones, estrogen and progestin. The other type of ECP uses only progestin and is called Plan B. These hormones are the same ones used in birth control pills. They are not the same as the abortion pill (RU486) and do not work if you are already pregnant. Plan B is more effective than Ovral® (89% vs 75%).

ECP is for emergency use only. It is not recommended for regular use because it is less effective than regular birth control pills.

How does Ovral® work?

Ovral® works in one of four ways:

  1. Keeps your ovaries from releasing an egg
  2. Traps sperm in thickened cervical mucous
  3. Prevents fertilization (sperm and egg meeting)
  4. May prevent implantation of egg in uterine lining

How effective is Ovral®?

Ovral® ECP reduces the risk of pregnancy by approximately 75%. Ovral® may not work if:

  • a fertilized egg was already implanted in your uterus before taking the pills
  • too much time went by between unprotected intercourse and taking the pills
  • it simply didn't work (this is true for 1 to 2 of every 100 women who use it)

How do I use Ovral®?

  1. Take 2 Ovral® pills within 5 days (as soon as possible is even better) after unprotected intercourse. Then, repeat the same dose 12 hours after the first dose. Effectiveness declines as the time between intercourse and taking the pills increases.
  2. Ovral® can cause nausea. It's usually mild and should go away within a day or so of treatment. It's a good idea to take an anti-nausea medication (GravolTM, for instance) an hour before each dose. If you do vomit, a replacement dose is not necessary unless the pills are visible in the vomit or it has been less than one hour since you took the pills.
  3. You should begin your period within 3 weeks of taking Ovral®. If you still haven't had a period after three weeks, return to the clinic for a pregnancy test.

When shouldn't I use Ovral®?

Women who are pregnant, have undiagnosed genital bleeding, or have a contraindication to using the product. Contraindications may include: history of heart disease, migraines, severe liver disease, breastfeeding mothers, and people taking medications for epilepsy or tuberculosis. A health care provider can evaluate your suitability if you have questions about this.

Could I have side effects?

Ovral® can cause minor side effects, such as:

  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • breast tenderness
  • irregular bleeding
  • headaches

Get immediate medical attention if you take Ovral® and have:

A - abdominal pain, upper right side

C - chest or arm pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood

H - headaches, severe and not relieved by aspirin or Tylenol

E - eye problems, blurred vision, flashing lights, double vision, blindness

S - swelling, redness, pain in the legs

Where can I get Ovral®?

  • Options for Sexual Health clinics
  • Youth clinics
  • Family doctor
  • Pharmacies with a prescription
  • Some hospital emergency departments

Keep in mind...

  • Ovral® does not provide protection for HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections.
  • You can buy Ovral® before you need it, just in case you need it later.
  • If the unprotected act was not consensual (sexual assault), support is available.
  • Ovral® will not protect you from pregnancy if you have unprotected intercourse in the days or weeks after you take it.
  • Ovral® is not meant to be used as an ongoing method of birth control. The clinic would be happy to discuss ongoing birth control options with you.

Options for Sexual Health has someone available to answer questions about Emergency Contraception during clinic hours or you can call SEX SENSE at 1-800 SEX-SENSE or 604-731-7803 in the Lower Mainland. If you need emergency contraception and the clinic is not open:

  • call your family doctor
  • walk-in clinic
  • your local pharmacy
  • call 1-888 NOT-2-LATE
  • check out the website www.NOT-2-LATE.com
  • go to the emergency room of a local hospital.
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Ovral Emergency Contraceptive Fact Sheet.pdf58.04 KB
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