Emergency Contraception (EC)

What is it?

Emergency contraception (EC) is birth control which can be used up to 120 hours after unprotected sex to prevent a pregnancy.  The brand name is Plan B.  It is also sometimes called “the morning after pill.”

EC contains a high dose of the same hormones found in birth control pills.

EC offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

EC is not the same as the abortion pill and will not affect an existing pregnancy.

How effective is it?

EC is 75-89% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, but is most effective within the first 24 hours.

Who should use it?

Anyone who wishes to reduce the possibility of pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure.

It is not intended to be used in place of regular birth control.  EC is now available without a prescription for women and men ages 17 and over.

If you are under 17, you will need to get a prescription from a health center such as Women’s Health. 

The information contained in this Web site, or conveyed to you electronically in response to a question from you, does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.  Women’s Health assumes no liability for any medical decision made or action taken based on information in this Web site.  For help with a specific medical concern, please make an appointment at our clinic by calling 303-442-5160.