Emergency Contraception

If a condom breaks or you forget to take your pill a few times this month, there is something you can do, but you need to act quickly. You can take emergency contraception (EC) within 120 hours (5 days) to help reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. However, the faster you act, the greater your chances are of avoiding an unintended pregnancy; you should try to take EC within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. One dedicated emergency contraceptive product is available today. It's called Plan B and it currently requires a prescription.

Emergency contraception works by inhibiting or delaying ovulation, preventing fertilization, or preventing implantation of a fertilized egg. Unlike medical abortion drugs, emergency contraception does not interrupt or terminate an established pregnancy; it prevents pregnancy from occurring. That means if you are already pregnant, EC won't work. Emergency contraception can cause nausea or vomiting for a day or so, but you can ask your provider to prescribe an anti-nausea medication. It's also not foolproof - it only reduces your chance of pregnancy by 75 to 89 percent.

Emergency contraception is for emergencies. In other words, it is not a reliable long-term birth control method and it does not protect against STDs - before or after its use. It also does not protect you during future acts of intercourse, so it is important that you use another form of birth control if you have sex again. Generally, emergency contraception costs $55 and upwards (the price includes examination, pregnancy test, and pills); costs can be less, or even nonexistent, at family planning clinics and health centers. To find a provider near you, you can call the Emergency Contraception Hotline at 1-888-NOT2LATE.