WHAT ARE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION PILLS? ♦ These are pills that 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. ♦ ECP’s work 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. Where do I get an ECP prescription if I am under 18? Based on cost and the ease of obtaining and filling a prescription, the best options in Charleston for students are as follows: 1. College of Charleston Student Health Services: 843-953-5520 Pregnancy tests and prescriptions are given for free. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5 pm. After-hours and on weekends, call the Health Educator at 442-5522. It is recommended that all sexually active students keep Plan B on hand in case of an emergency. 2. Charleston County Health Department: Various locations in the Charleston County area. Closest to campus is near MUSC at 3 Charleston Center Drive, off Courtney Street. Fees are based on your income, but the cost for emergency contraception averages $3.50, and is usually in stock at the clinic. You will be given a pregnancy test as well as the ECP. Must be within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Call 579-4591, 4592 or 4593 and ask for the Family Planning Clinic, or stop by their office M-F 9-5. Be sure to tell them what you need so they will get you in immediately. 3. Planned Parenthood Hotline: 1-800-230-PLAN. Available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. You will be connected to the Planned Parenthood closest to you, which is located in Columbia, SC. A licensed nurse will ask you a few brief questions over the phone and a prescription for Plan B will be called into a pharmacy of your choice (have that number available when you call). The cost of obtaining the prescription by phone is $30 plus the cost to have it filled at the pharmacy. This is not the cheapest option, but can be used if no other option is available. REMEMBER: IF YOU ARE 18 YEARS OR OLDER, YOU DO NOT NEED A PRESCRIPTION FOR ECP. • Particularly if you are using condoms as your only form of birth control, but even if you are sexually active in general, you should consider keeping ECP on hand in your medicine cabinet. It has a 4-year shelf life and does not need to be refrigerated, and is most effective the sooner it is taken. • Doctor’s Care walk-in clinics will not provide ECP. • Although, ECP is safe and effective it is not 100% effective. Please refrain from using tobacco, alcohol, or illegal drugs that might interfere with its effectiveness. • Please follow up with a pregnancy test after a week to confirm effectiveness of ECP taken. • Find out more about ECP at http://www.plannedparenhood.org under the link to “Health Info.” • If you have had unprotected, vaginal intercourse, pregnancy is not your only concern. Please get tested for Sexually Transmitted Infections by calling Student Health Services or the Charleston County Health Department to set up an appointment. The South Carolina Emergency Contraception Initiative 1316 Washington St., Suite 101 Columbia, SC 29201 803.771.0104 | fax: 803.799.8019 www.morningafterinfo.org e-mail: information@morningafterinfo.org The South Carolina Emergency Contraception Initiative, a project of New Morning Foundation and Advocates for Youth, is designed to help young women prevent unintended pregnancy by educating them and others in our state about emergency birth control pills.