What is Emergency Contraception?
What is Emergency Contraception and Why Might You Need It?
Emergency contraception (EC), often called the morning-after pill or e-pill, is a type of birth control you can use after unprotected sex or if your regular method fails. Regular method in this case means a torn condom or a missed pill. It is important to have in mind that the EC is a backup and should not be used as a routine method. However, in a culture that is super hush-hush around sex conversations, many people in Kenya still don’t know how EC works or -believe it or not- if it’s even legal.
There are two main types of EC available in Kenya:
- Levonorgestrel-based pills like Postinor-2, Ezinor and Pregnon (best taken within 72 hours).
- Ulipristal acetate pills (like ellaOne), which happens to be less common and more expensive.
Contrary to what some people might believe, Emergency contraception does not cause abortion. How it works is; it mainly delays ovulation so that fertilization doesn’t occur. So if you’re already pregnant, it won’t affect your existing pregnancy in any way.
How It Works (And What It Doesn’t Do)
Emergency contraception is time-sensitive and its sole purpose is to prevent pregnancy, not end it. It is important that everyone understands how it works so they can take it effectively and stop the spread of fear-based myths in the process.
Here’s what EC does:
- Delays ovulation: Most emergency pills stop your ovaries from releasing an egg. And no egg basically means no fertilization can take place.
- Thickens cervical mucus: Making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.
- Alters the uterine lining (in some cases): Making it less likely for a fertilized egg to implant.
Here’s what it doesn’t do:
- It won’t protect you from STIs.
- It won’t work if you’re already pregnant.
- It isn’t meant for regular birth control which is why you shouldn’t be taking it every week.
- It does not “flush out” or “abort” a pregnancy. That is a whole other process entirely
Timing matters:
- For most pills like Postinor-2, you should take the first dose within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Put in mind that the sooner, the better.
- We have pills that are effective up to 120 hours (5 days), but these are harder to find in Kenya.
Bottom line, Emergency contraception is safe and legal in Kenya, and taking it early gives you the best chance of preventing pregnancy.
Where to Get Emergency Contraception in Kenya
Even though emergency contraception is legal and available in Kenya (and I am sure most of Africa) without a prescription, access can still feel like a battle. So, where can you find it, regardless of what part of the country you are in?
1. Pharmacies (Chemists)
You can walk into most chemists and ask for Postinor-2 or its generic equivalents. I am sure most people who have tried this have at one point or the other been met with a bombastic side-eye either from the seller at the counter or even fellow buyers. So don’t be surprised if you’re met with judgmental questions or even refusal, especially if you look young or aren’t accompanied by a male partner.
Some tips:
- You are not required to explain yourself.
- You have the legal right to buy emergency contraception.
- Do not be ashamed. Ask for it confidently and by name: “Do you have Postinor-2?” or “Do you stock emergency contraception?”
2. Public and Private Clinics
Clinics like Marie Stopes, Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK), and Tunza clinics often provide emergency contraception with counseling, with some even offering it for free or subsidized.
3. Online Pharmacies & Delivery Apps
Urban-based platforms like MYDAWA, GoodLife, and Pharmaplus offer same-day delivery. This is especially ideal for those who are uncomfortable going to a chemist in person.
Common Myths You Might Hear (and Why They’re Wrong)
One widespread myth in Kenya is that if you take the morning-after pill while already pregnant, it can deform the baby. I don’t know who began this story, but guys, this is not true. According to global health authorities like the World Health Organization, levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception neither harms an existing pregnancy nor does it cause birth defects.
Another common myth is that the more EC you take, the higher chances you have of becoming infertile. Again, there is no evidence to support this. While it’s not meant for regular use, taking EC occasionally has no known long-term effects on fertility.
Bottom line: You can get emergency contraception in Kenya safely even though sometimes you may have to handle stigma and misinformation (not to forget the occasional bombastic side eye). All the more reason you need to know your rights and understand the facts.
The Stigma at the Counter
The Stigma is Real: Why Buying the Morning-After Pill Feels Like a Crime
In Kenya, walking into a chemist to buy emergency contraception can feel like stepping into a courtroom. Many women (especially young ones) are shamed or interrogated at the counter. If the pharmacist is not lowering their voice to mutter something moralistic, then they are raising their voice deliberately to expose you in a room full of strangers.
In worse case scenarios, they will refuse to sell the pill unless you’re accompanied by a male partner, as though your body can’t be trusted to make decisions on its own.
This stigma is dangerous because it delays access to a time-sensitive medication and discourages people from seeking help when they need it most.
Remember, taking the morning-after pill does not mean you are reckless. It simply means you’re taking control of your reproductive health. Something – admittedly – many of us were never taught. Most of our parents buried their heads in the sand when it came to matters sex or reproduction. It is bizarre really, because looking back to my first period, the person I confided in was my aunt and not my mom.
Do not get me wrong, my mom has in recent years grown to be my best friend but back then, what really used to happen? Is it that our parents were so strict that we feared them? Or is it simply that they themselves were trial and “erroring” at this thing called life? To be fair, she did get married when she was 18 and had me at 19. So yes, different times i guess but i really hope we can be the generation that made a difference, and have open discussions with their children about the things we never had a chance to talk about ourselves.
And in a society where single motherhood is stigmatized and safe abortions are limited, preventing an unintended pregnancy is a choice, yes, but most importantly, it’s a form of self-preservation.
Common Myths and Misunderstandings
What You’ve Heard About the Morning-After Pill, And What’s Actually True
In a country where misinformation spreads fast, more so in the era of social media – sometimes even whispered by healthcare workers who should know better – one of the most dangerous myths is that taking the morning-after pill while pregnant will harm or “disform” the baby. False. According to the World Health Organization and other leading health bodies, emergency contraception does not affect an existing pregnancy.
Another common belief is that using emergency contraception more than once will make you infertile. There’s no medical evidence for this.
You may also hear that it only works if you haven’t eaten, or that it only works for “thin girls.” Come on, who even came up with these? None of that is medically proven. The only thing that matters is how soon you take it; the earlier, the better. Less than 72 hours is okay, but taking it within the first 24 hours after unprotected sex gives you the best chance of preventing pregnancy.
Cost, Brands and What to Look For
How Much Does Emergency Contraception Cost in Kenya and Which Brands Are Legit?
The first question is usually “How much will it cost me?” Factors to consider include where you are, what brand is available and how discreet or convenient you want the process to be.
In most Kenyan pharmacies, emergency contraception typically costs between Ksh 150 and Ksh 600. Well-known brands like Postinor-2 tend to fall in the mid to upper range while generic versions like Ezinor, Pregnon or Smart Lady are often cheaper but contain the same active ingredient: levonorgestrel 1.5 mg.
In urban areas like Nairobi, you’ll find a wider selection and a wider price range. And while online platforms like MYDAWA or GoodLife may charge a bit more for the convenience of delivery, they also offer privacy and reliability. Also, some clinics like Marie Stopes may provide EC for free or at subsidized rates during reproductive health campaigns.
So what should you look for before buying?
- Check the expiry date. Never settle for a product close to expiration.
- Buy sealed tablets. Don’t accept loose pills in a plain envelope. This is your body, not a black market, protect it at all costs. Before tupewe mwili mpya mbinguni, we have to make do with what we currently have.
- Read the leaflet. It should include dosage, side effects and instructions (both in English and Kiswahili.)
- Take note of side effects. Common ones include nausea, dizziness, tender breasts or spotting. Do not worry though as these usually go away after a day or two.
Emergency contraception may not be free, but it’s a small cost compared to an unplanned pregnancy in a country where SHA is a gamble and Linda Mama was scrapped off.
What If It Doesn’t Work?
What If the Morning-After Pill Fails? Here’s What You Need to Know
Yes, emergency contraception is effective, but is it foolproof? The answer is no. While most levonorgestrel-based pills reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89% if taken correctly within 72 hours, there’s still a small chance it might not work. Some of the reasons this might be so is if you:
- Took it too late (after 72 hours),
- Were already ovulating at the time of unprotected sex,
- Vomited soon after taking the pill,
- Or took medication that interferes with hormonal absorption (like certain antibiotics or epilepsy drugs).
So what should you do if you suspect it didn’t work?
Wait and Track Your Period
It is normal to have a late or early period but if it’s late by more than a week, take a pregnancy test just to be sure.
If It’s Positive
I have already mentioned how emergency contraception does not harm an existing pregnancy. If you find out you’re pregnant, you have the right to seek nonjudgmental counseling and support. Clinics like Marie Stopes Kenya or Family Health Options Kenya (FHOK) offer options regardless of the choice you make – to continue the pregnancy or not.
Emotional Aftermath
Even if EC works, the experience of needing it can leave you feeling ashamed or unsettled. While that’s normal, you sure do not deserve to feel guilt for making a decision that protected your future.
Also, I must mention that if you find yourself needing EC more than once, then it might be time to consider a longer-term method like, say, the pill, implant or an IUD because building a stronger foundation means exploring your full range of choices.
The Final Word: Reproductive Autonomy Starts with Information
The undisputed truth is that needing the morning-after pill doesn’t make you reckless but human. Life is messy. Condoms break and pills get skipped. And what happens when consent isn’t clear?
Sometimes you just need a second chance. A chance that the Emergency contraception can give to you.
But most importantly, this is about having the power to make decisions about your body.
Access to emergency contraception is a right – not a privilege.
