Contraception Facts

WHAT ARE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION PILLS?

Emergency Contraception pills can help prevent pregnancy for up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected vaginal intercourse.

ECP’s are up to 89% effective when taken within the first 24 hours after unprotected sex; effectiveness declines the more time that passes.

Plan B is the ECP prescribed by most doctors today. This is two progestin-only pills (there is no estrogen in Plan B), one taken immediately and one 12 hours later.

Plan B has a shelf-life of 48 months from the date of manufacture, and does not need to be refrigerated.

Plan B will not cause abortion or harm a fetus if an individual is already pregnant, in fact it is ineffective if the person is already pregnant.

Emergency Contraception works by delaying ovulation and inhibiting fertilization. They may also prevent implantation of a fertilized egg.

Plan B is now available over the counter for anyone 18 years or older, with photo ID, at most pharmacies. Anyone under 18 years of age will still need a prescription.

Plan B should not be used as a method of birth control, only in an emergency to prevent a pregnancy from occurring.

The cost of Plan B ranges from $24-50 at local pharmacies, and is not covered by most insurance plans.

Emergency Contraception (also called EC, the Morning After Pill, or Plan B) can prevent pregnancy up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected vaginal intercourse. EC is a stronger dose of the same hormones used in regular birth control pills, and is more effective the sooner you take it. There are different types of EC - Plan B, Next Step, and One Step. They are all the same hormones and work the same way. You can take Plan B or Next Step in one dose (both pills at the same time) instead of having to take one pill first and another pill 12 hours later. One Step is just that - all of the medication in one pill instead of two. EC works best if you take it within 24 hours of sex. EC works by delaying ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). It may also prevent the egg from being fertilized. Using EC is not the same as having an abortion because EC pills will not harm an egg that has finished implanting. If a woman takes EC when she is already pregnant, it will not end the pregnancy or cause any birth defects. If you are 16 or younger, you will need a prescription from a medical provider to get emergency contraception. If you are 17 or older, you may purchase EC at a pharmacy. You do not need a doctor’s prescription if you are 17 or older, but you may need to show identification. For more information about EC, go to www.morningafterinfo.org. You may also call the toll-free, confidential 24-hour EC Hotline to find the nearest clinic, doctor, or nurse practitioner who will give you a prescription for emergency birth control pills: 1-888-NOT2LATE (in English) or 1-866-TRESDIAS (in Spanish). The hotline is automated – You won’t have to talk to a real person.