Emergency Contraception Glossary
Understand medical terminology related to emergency contraception. Simple, clear definitions for common terms.
Tingnan sa Tagalog →How to use this glossary
Emergency contraception decisions often come down to timing, the type of pill available, and whether ovulation may already be near. This glossary explains the words patients see on product pages, medical labels, and provider messages so you can move faster when time matters.
Start with the term you saw, then follow the related terms to build context. Medication entries explain products and active ingredients. Process entries explain cycle timing. Side effect entries describe what can be normal after taking emergency contraception and what should prompt medical care.
What the categories mean
Medication terms cover active ingredients and product names, such as levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate, Postinor, and Mifestad. These entries are useful when comparing the 72-hour and 120-hour emergency contraception windows.
Anatomy and process terms explain ovulation, the menstrual cycle, fertility, and pregnancy risk. These are the words that make timing guidance easier to understand when you are deciding whether to order now, wait for a period, or take a pregnancy test.
Side effect terms explain symptoms like nausea or spotting after taking emergency contraception. They also help separate expected, temporary effects from symptoms that deserve urgent medical care.
General terms cover common search language, including Plan B, morning-after pill, efficacy, and contraceptive failure, so readers can connect everyday wording with medical wording.
When a definition should lead to action
Some glossary terms are only background reading, but timing terms can change what you do next. If you are looking up ovulation, contraceptive failure, morning-after pill, or efficacy because of a recent pregnancy risk, count the hours since sex or method failure before comparing options.
Definitions can help you ask clearer questions, but they should not delay urgent care. Severe one-sided pain, fainting, very heavy bleeding, or a positive pregnancy test with pain should be checked by a clinician urgently rather than handled through self-education alone.
C
Contraceptive Failure
GeneralWhen a birth control method does not work as intended, such as a condom breaking or missing birth control pills.
Copper IUD
MedicationAn intrauterine device that can be used as emergency contraception when inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex, and then provides ongoing contraception.
E
Emergency Contraception
GeneralBirth control methods used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to prevent pregnancy.
Efficacy
GeneralA measure of how well a medication or treatment works under ideal conditions, often expressed as a percentage.
Ectopic Pregnancy
ProcessA pregnancy that develops outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. A medical emergency requiring immediate care.
F
L
M
Morning After Pill
GeneralA common term for emergency contraception pills taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
Menstrual Cycle
ProcessThe monthly hormonal cycle that prepares the body for pregnancy, typically lasting 21-35 days.
Mifestad
MedicationA brand name emergency contraception pill containing ulipristal acetate 30mg, effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex.
N
O
P
Progestin
MedicationA synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, used in many contraceptives including emergency contraception.
Progesterone
AnatomyA natural hormone produced by the ovaries that plays a key role in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy.
Postinor
MedicationA brand name emergency contraception pill containing levonorgestrel 1.5mg, effective up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Plan B
MedicationA widely used term for emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) in the Philippines. While Plan B is a US brand name, Filipinos use it to refer to any emergency contraceptive pill, including Postinor (levonorgestrel) and Mifestad (ulipristal acetate).
S
Spotting
Side EffectLight bleeding or discharge between periods, which may occur as a normal side effect of emergency contraception.
Side Effects
GeneralUnintended effects of a medication, which for emergency contraception are typically mild and temporary.
Sperm
AnatomyMale reproductive cells that can fertilize an egg. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to 5 days.
U
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