Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy that can be used up to 5 days after you have sex. However, the sooner you start emergency contraception, the better your chances are of not getting pregnant.
Emergency contraception is taken by mouth and can be used if you didn’t use a contraceptive during sex, if you used a condom that broke, or if you were sexually assaulted. Emergency contraceptive may also be taken at the same time as PEP, a medicine that reduces your chances of getting HIV after unprotected sex.
Emergency contraception reduces the chance of pregnancy, if you take it soon enough.
- Levonorgestrel-containing pills (like Plan B) can be used up to 5 days or 120 hours after you have sex, but it is most effective if you take it within 3 days or 72 hours after you have sex.
- Ulipristal-containing pills (like Ella) can be used up to 5 days or 120 hours after you have sex. It may also be a better option if you weigh more than 165 pounds.
You may want emergency contraception if:
- The condom broke or slipped off
- You forgot to take your birth control pills, insert your ring, or apply your patch
- You weren’t using any birth control
- You are using fertility awareness (not a reliable way to prevent pregnancy) and miscalculated your “safe” days
- You were forced to have unprotected vaginal sex or were sexually assaulted
Emergency contraception is available without a prescription for anyone 17 or older. People who are 16 and younger need a prescription.
Where can you get emergency contraception?
Plan B is available at most drug stores with pharmacies, health centers and Planned Parenthood clinics as well as certain Indian Health Service pharmacies and Tribal health care pharmacies. It will be located behind the pharmacy counter, so you will need to ask the pharmacy staff for emergency contraception.
If you are 16 or younger, you will need to go to a health center or visit your medical provider to get a prescription for emergency contraception, with one exception. In some states, women under 18 can get emergency contraceptives directly from some pharmacists without a prescription. This is possible because of special laws in these states. Even in states that allow this, not all pharmacists participate, so be sure to call ahead to see if a participating pharmacist is on duty.
Keep in mind that emergency contraception is meant for emergencies. It isn’t meant to be used as a regular form of birth control. One of the reasons for this is that emergency contraception doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections, like HIV.
To get emergency contraception, check with:
- Your local IHS or tribal health clinic
- Your county, local, or state health department
- Your school-based health clinic
- A local Planned Parenthood clinic—to find the clinic nearest to you, visit: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center
- You can get some types of morning-after pills (like Plan B) without a prescription at drug stores, grocery stores, or Planned Parenthood health centers. Call in advance to make sure they offer and stock emergency contraception. Ask: Do you offer emergency contraception without a prescription?
Resources
Acknowledgement: This fact sheet was originally developed by youth and staff at ReachOut.com, a website that helps teens get through tough times.
