Emergency contraceptive pills have been approved by United States Food and Drug Administration for pregnancy prevention. Also known as "morning-after pills", these pills contain the same hormone(s) as normal birth control pills. Depending on the type of emergency contraceptive pills, it can be taken up to 72-120 hours after unprotected sex. Let's bust some of the common myths about emergency contraceptive pills.

• Myth - Emergency birth control pills are unsafe.
• Truth - Emergency birth control pills work almost exactly as ordinary birth control pills. Clinically, these pills are approved by the FDA. Most women who cannot take regular birth control pills due to some medical reasons can safely use emergency contraceptive pills.

• Myth - Emergency contraceptive pills can terminate pregnancy.
• Truth - These pills cannot terminate pregnancy. The US Department of Health and Human Services, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and almost all professional medical associations define pregnancy as implantation of fertilized egg in the uterus. Emergency birth control pills prevent release of eggs from the ovaries and have no effect on implanted egg. These pills can only prevent pregnancy.

• Myth - Emergency birth control pill can cause birth defects.
• Truth - This myth should not arise in the first place because emergency birth control pills are not meant to be taken during pregnancy. If you are already pregnant, talk to your doctor about the contraceptive methods you should use.

• Myth - Emergency contraceptive pills can affect fertility.
• Truth - Neither regular birth control pills nor emergency contraceptive pills can affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.

• Myth - Emergency birth control pills can protect against sexually transmitted disease.
• Truth - These pills can help you prevent unwanted pregnancy, but cannot do anything to protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. You can use condoms to keep away these infections while engaging in vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

• Myth - Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy until next menstrual cycle.
• Truth - These pills only prevent pregnancy when they are taken within the prescribed time after unprotected sex. You can get pregnant if you have unprotected sex after taking emergency birth control pill.

• Myth - Emergency birth control pills are not safe for young women.
• Truth - Society for Adolescent Medicines and American Academy of Pediatrics suggest use of emergency birth control pills as safe for teenage and adult women.

Levonelle One Step - Morning-after pill

Levonelle One Step is also known as the "morning-after pill". It is an emergency contraceptive pill that is effective for up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. The success rate of Levonelle is 95% in preventing pregnancy, when taken during the first day after unprotected sex. Similarly, Levonelle pill is 85% effective when taken between 25-48 hour after unprotected sex. Its effectiveness drops to 53% when taken between 49-72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. You should remember that Levonelle emergency contraceptive pill cannot be used as regular contraceptive pills.