Frequently Asked Questions Emergency Contraception (Emergency Birth Control)
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What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception, or emergency birth control, is used to help keep a woman from getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control or if the birth control method failed. If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not work.
Use emergency contraception if:
- You didn’t use birth control.
- You were forced to have sex.
- The condom broke or came off.
- Your diaphragm slips out of place.
- He didn’t pull out in time.
- You missed at least two or three active birth control pills in a row (depending on which pill brand you use).
- You were late getting your shot.
- You have reason to think your regular birth control might have failed.
Emergency contraception should not be used as regular birth control. Other birth control methods are much better at keeping women from becoming pregnant. Talk with your doctor to decide which one is right for you.
What are the types of emergency contraception and how do they work?
There are two types:
- Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)
With ECPs, higher doses of the same hormones found in regular birth control pills prevent pregnancy by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from joining the egg. While it is possible that ECPs might work by keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, the most up-to-date research suggests that ECPs do not work in this way. In the United States, there is only one FDA-approved pill that is specially made to be used as an ECP. It is called Plan B. However, when used in a certain way, some regular birth control pills also can be used as ECPs.
- Plan B — Plan B is a progestin-only ECP. It is made for use as emergency contraception. Plan B is like progestin-only birth control pills, but contains higher levels of the hormone. The instructions for Plan B say to take the two pills 12 hours apart. But research has shown that taking both pills at the same time works just as well and does not increase side effects.
- Higher dose of regular birth control pills — The number of pills in a dose is different for each pill brand, and not all brands can be used for emergency contraception. For more information on birth control pills that can be used for emergency contraception, visit the Emergency Contraception Website (not-2-late.com). The pills are taken in 2 doses (1 dose right away, and the next dose 12 hours later). Always use the same brand for both doses, and be sure to use the active pills, not the reminder pills.
You should always take ECPs as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, but they can work up to 5 days later. Women who are breastfeeding or cannot take estrogen should use progestin-only ECPs (like Plan B). Some women feel sick and throw up after taking ECPs. If you throw up after taking ECPs, call your doctor or pharmacist.
Intrauterine device (IUD)
The IUD is a small, T-shaped device placed into the uterus by a doctor within 5 days after having unprotected sex. The IUD works by keeping the sperm from joining the egg or keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. Your doctor can remove the IUD after your next period. Or, it can be left in place for up to 10 years to use as your regular birth control method.
How well does emergency contraception work?
When used correctly, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) work very well at preventing pregnancy. Consider that about 8 in 100 women who have unprotected sex one time during the fertile part of their cycle will become pregnant. If these 100 women take progestin-only ECPs (like Plan B), about 1 will become pregnant. If 100 women take ECPs with estrogen and progestin, about 2 will become pregnant. The IUD works even better. Only 1 in 1,000 women who have an IUD put in after having unprotected sex will become pregnant.
The sooner you use emergency contraception after unprotected sex, the more likely it will prevent pregnancy. But you must use it correctly. For regular birth control pills used as ECPs, take the first dose within 3 days of having unprotected sex, but no later than 5 days. Take the second dose 12 hours later. For Plan B, both pills can be taken at the same time.
Does emergency contraception have side effects?
Some women feel sick and throw up after taking ECPs. Headache, cramps, and fatigue also can occur. Progestin-only ECPs cause fewer side effects than combined pills that also contain estrogen. The over-the-counter drug Dramamine 2 can reduce the risk of feeling sick and throwing up. Take two of these pills 30 minutes before taking ECPs. If you throw up after taking ECPs, call your doctor or pharmacist.
IUD placement has risks of pelvic infection or harming the uterus. But these risks are quite rare. If the IUD is left in place to be used as birth control, it can cause side effects such as cramps and heavy bleeding during your period.
No. Emergency contraception can only lower the risk of becoming pregnant after having unprotected sex. Always use condoms to lower your risk of getting an STI.
Are emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) the same thing as the "morning after pill"?
Yes. ECPs are often called the "morning after pill," which is wrong because ECPs don’t have to be taken the morning after. You should always take ECPs as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, but they can work up to 5 days later.
You can get Plan B at drugstores and stores with a licensed pharmacist. The FDA recently approved Plan B for sale without a prescription to 17-year-olds, but it will take some time before this change actually happens. In the meantime, you must be 18 or older to buy Plan B without a prescription. Once Plan B is available for sale over the counter to 17-year-olds, girls under the age of 17 will need a prescription to purchase Plan B. Women and men must show proof of age to buy Plan B. If you are younger than 17 and need emergency contraception, you need to act quickly. Talk to your parents, your doctor, or visit a family planning clinic and ask for help. In some states (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Vermont, and Washington), some pharmacists can provide Plan B to women younger than 17 without a prescription. If you live in one of these states, call your pharmacy to see if this is an option for you.
While it is true that the FDA recently approved Plan B for sale over the counter to 17-year-olds, it will take some time before this change actually happens. In the meantime, you must be 18 or older to buy Plan B without a prescription.
Can I get emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) before I need them?
Yes. Your doctor should bring up ECPs at your annual exam (when you have a Pap test). If your doctor does not talk about emergency contraception at your next exam, ask your doctor about it.
What do I need to do after I take emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)?
After you have taken ECPs, your next period may come sooner or later than normal. Most women will get their period within 7 days of the expected date. Your period also may be heavier, lighter, or more spotty than normal. If you do not get your period in 3 weeks or if you think you might be pregnant after taking ECPs, get a pregnancy test to find out for sure.
Use another birth control method if you have sex any time before your next period starts. Talk to your doctor about how to choose a birth control method that is right for you.
My girlfriend took emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), and they did not work. If she stays pregnant, will there be something wrong with her baby?
No. Studies have been done with women who did not know they were pregnant and kept taking regular birth control pills. These studies have found no greater risk for birth defects. Your girlfriend should see a doctor right away to talk about her options.
Are emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) the same thing as the abortion pill?
No. Emergency contraception works before pregnancy begins. It will not work if a woman is already pregnant. Abortion takes place after a fertilized egg has attached to the uterus. The abortion pill (Mifeprex, also called RU-486) makes the uterus force out the egg, ending the pregnancy.
For More Information
For more information on emergency contraception, contact womenshealth.gov at 1-800-994-9662 or the following organizations:
Food and Drug Administration
Phone Number: (888) 463-6332
Internet Address: http://www.fda.gov
Emergency Contraception Website (not-2-late.com)
Internet Address: http://ec.princeton.edu
Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Phone Number: (800) 230-7526
Internet Address: http://www.plannedparenthood.org
All material contained in this FAQ is free of copyright restrictions, and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on Women's Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
This FAQ was reviewed by:
James Trussell, PhD
Professor of Economics and Public Affairs
Director, Office of Population Research
Princeton University
Content last updated May 15, 2009.
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