Examples

Medicines

Progestin

Levonorgestrel, such as Plan B or Next Choice, is specially packaged for emergency contraception. You can buy this medicine in most drugstores.

• If you are 17 or older, you can get emergency contraception from a pharmacist, without a prescription. Bring proof of your age.
• If you are younger than 17, you can get emergency contraception with a prescription from a doctor.

Emergency contraception is used after unprotected sex to prevent a pregnancy from starting. It is most effective when it is used as soon as possible after intercourse. It is not necessary to take a pregnancy test before using emergency contraception.

How to take emergency contraception

Birth control experts recommend having emergency contraception pills, or a prescription for them, on hand in case you ever need them.  Emergency contraception is most effective when used as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Your risk of becoming pregnant increases as time passes.

For the emergency contraception option that contains 2 pills, you can take both pills at the same time. Or you can take 1 pill right away and the second pill 12 hours later.

There is also a one-pill emergency contraception option that lets you take the dose you need in just 1 pill.

You can take emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex. But it works best if you take it right away.

How It Works

Emergency contraception pills work by preventing ovulation, fertilization, or implantation.

Emergency contraception hormones may prevent fertilization by stopping the ovary from releasing an egg (ovum). They also make the fallopian tubes less likely to move an egg toward the uterus. Emergency contraception is also thought to thin the lining of the uterus, or endometrium. The thickened endometrium is where a fertilized egg would normally implant and grow.

Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Why It Is Used

Emergency contraception is meant to be used as a backup method for preventing pregnancy. For regular protection, be sure that you have:

• A birth control method that you know you can use every time you have sex.
• Condoms for protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) every time you have sex.

You can use emergency contraception if you are not confident that you were protected against pregnancy during intercourse. This can happen if: