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Emergency Contraception

Emergency Contraception (EC) is also known as Plan B® or "the morning after pill." Emergency Contraception is a second chance when you need it. Emergency Contraception should be used when you feel that your birth control method failed, after having unprotected sex, or after being forced to have sex.

The sooner you take Emergency Contraception the more effective it is. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, Emergency Contraception can reduce your risk of pregnancy by 89%.
The effectiveness of Emergency Contraception decreases after the window of 72 hours (3 days) has past.

Emergency Contraception is NOT a substitute for using a regular form of birth control. It should be used in emergencies when your regular birth control method fails. For example:

  • If a condom breaks
  • If you forget to take your birth control pills
  • If you don’t correctly use any other form of birth control

Emergency Contraception does NOT protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.

Emergency Contraception is NOT the "Abortion Pill."

  • Emergency Contraception is used to prevent pregnancy; it is not effective if you are already pregnant.
  • Emergency Contraception will not terminate an existing pregnancy.

Where do you get Emergency Contraception?

If you are 18 years old or older you can buy Emergency Contraception from a pharmacy without a prescription. You must have valid ID with you to prove that you are over 18. If you are younger than 18 you must ask your doctor for a prescription and take your prescription to a pharmacy to be filled.
For more information on Emergency Contraception and how to get it: call 1–888–NOT–2–LATE.

How to Take Emergency Contraception

  • The 1st pill should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
  • The 2nd pill should be taken 12 hours after the 1st pill.

Emergency Contraception has no serious or lasting medical side effects. Some possible side effects include:

  • Nausea
  • Stomach pain
  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Breast tenderness
  • Some women experience menstrual changes such as spotting or bleeding before their next period
  • Some women may have a heavier or lighter next period, or a period that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you should get a pregnancy test.

Some specific types of birth control pills can also be used as Emergency Contraception. Consult your doctor before using regular birth control pills as Emergency Contraception. Your doctor will let you know if your type of birth control pills can work as Emergency Contraception and when and how many pills to take if needed.