Birth Control: Emergency Contraception

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Emergency Contraception

You can use emergency contraception if a condom breaks, you've forgotten a pill, you are taking other medications that may affect contraception medications, or you have had unprotected sex. Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

There are two kinds of emergency contraception:

• Hormonal emergency contraception. Even though it is called the "morning-after pill," hormonal emergency contraception is effective when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, although it is most effective when it is used within 72 hours.
• Copper T intrauterine device. The copper IUD is inserted within 7 days after unprotected sex.

The Emergency Contraception Web site at http://ec.princeton.edu/ can help you find an emergency contraception provider close to you.

You can buy Plan B in most drugstores.

• If you are 18 or older, you can get Plan B from a pharmacist, without a prescription. Bring proof of your age.
• If you are younger than 18, you can get Plan B with a prescription.

Some pharmacists refuse to fill emergency contraception prescriptions based on their personal beliefs. If this happens to you, ask for the location of a pharmacist who will fill the prescription, use the Web address above, or call the Planned Parenthood clinic closest to you.

For more information, see the topic Emergency Contraception.

Last updated:	May 22, 2008
Author:	Bets Davis, MFA
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS, Pat Truman, MATC