Emergency contraception and RU486 are both new medications that give women more options when making decisions about their reproductive health and family life. Many people confuse emergency contraception and RU 486.
Emergency contraception is just that - contraception.
It prevents pregnancy before it starts. RU 486 is a method of abortion that terminates pregnancy in its early stages. Emergency contraception is ordinary birth control pills taken after sexual activity in high doses to prevent pregnancy. EC pills are taken in two doses - the first dose must be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex and the second dose is taken 12 hours later. If couples do not use any form of contraception, if they experience contraceptive failure like a broken condom or a missed pill, or if a woman is raped, EC can provide a woman with one last chance to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.