Emergency Contraception
Hear this word Emergency Contraception
Also known as: “The morning-after-pill,” EC, Plan B
Plan B is the name of one emergency contraception brand, but there are many brands available. Sometimes people say “Plan B” when communicating about emergency contraception in general.
Image description: Emergency contraception pill packaging, also called the morning-after pill, with a single pill in the flat, rectangular package.
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What Is It?
A safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex. There are two kinds of emergency contraception—the “morning after pill” and the copper IUD.
Image description: Emergency contraception tablet
Image description: Drawing of a copper IUD (Intrauterine Device) inside of a uterus.
An Example
Sarah wants emergency contraception because the condom broke while she was having sex with her partner and Sarah does not use any other type of birth control. Sarah is worried that semen got inside of her body, and she wants to prevent a pregnancy. The next morning, Sarah goes to her local pharmacy, and she buys emergency contraception. Sarah follows the directions and takes one emergency contraception pill to prevent pregnancy. Sarah doesn’t want to have a baby right now, and she knows emergency contraception is only for emergencies. Sarah decides to make an appointment with her health care provider to choose a birth control method that works for her.
Getting emergency contraception
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- Usually, emergency contraception is a pill. However, some people will have an IUD placed in their uterus up to 5 days after unprotected sex as another type of emergency contraception. A health care provider must do this procedure. The IUD would stay in the person’s body as a form of birth control until the IUD needed to be replaced or until the patient requests that the IUD is removed.
- Most brands of emergency contraception (or “morning after pills”) do not require a prescription. They can be bought over-the-counter at a pharmacy, grocery store, or health center.
Think about
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Where can a person go to get emergency contraception?
- Most brands can be bought at pharmacies, grocery stores, or health care centers. A few brands require a prescription. An IUD would require a health care appointment.
What did you learn about emergency contraception? What questions do you have?
To learn more, explore websites, books, and other resources in the Resource Hub or explore other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit.