Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Women Use ItOptions and How They WorkTimingEffectivenessSide EffectsSpecial ConsiderationsWhat It’s NotHow and Where to Get ItCost
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Why Women Use It
Options and How They Work
Timing
Effectiveness
Side Effects
Special Considerations
What It’s Not
How and Where to Get It
Cost
Emergency contraception (EC) is a birth control option that you can use to reduce your risk of getting pregnant after having unprotected sex orcontraceptive failure. Depending on the method used, it either prevents ovulation or fertilization of an egg. So-called “morning-after pills” have been available for more than 30 years, and EC is a safe and effective method ofbirth control.
For the best effectiveness, emergency contraception needs to be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
Why Some Use Emergency Contraception
Obviously, women who opt for emergency contraception do not wish to be pregnant at the time they take it. Common situations that lead to seeking out emergency contraception include:
Generally speaking, most women who want to use emergency contraception can safely use it—this even applies to women who are not usually good candidates for usinghormonal birth controlas their main form of contraception.
If you believe that you could have experienced birth control failure inany way, and you do not wish to be pregnant, you may want to consider using emergency contraception.
Over the past few years, emergency contraception options have greatly expanded.
Such options include:
Oral contraceptives used for regular contraception can also be used as EC. Doing so involves taking aspecific regimenof prescription oral contraceptive pills—eitherprogestin-only birth control pills(norethindrone 0.35 mg pills) orcombined oral contraceptives—in two doses, 12 hours apart.
Ella vs. Plan B: How Are They Different?
In order to reduce your risk of pregnancy, emergency contraception should be started up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.The sooner it is used, the better the chances of preventing pregnancy.
The manufacturers suggest that these pills should be used within 72 hours of contraceptive failure or unprotected sex—but again, the sooner the better.That being said, it may still be useful to take the morning-after pill to take to decrease your chances of pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
When used as emergency contraception, the ParaGard IUD should be inserted within five days after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It may then work to prevent pregnancy for several years.
Using the Morning-After Pill
In general, emergency contraception is meant to be a backup birth control method. It is not as effective as the correct and consistent use of other reversibleprescription birth control methods.
Two main factors influence the effectiveness of emergency contraception:
Side effects may vary depending on the type of emergency contraception you are using. You should discuss any major side effects with your healthcare provider. This is especially true if you end up vomiting after taking EC, as your practitioner can advise as to if you should take another dose.
If you are experiencing any signs of pregnancy after using emergency contraception, it is also important to contact your practitioner. Some of the most common pregnancy signs include:
Because it is still unknown if Ella causes any risks to a developing fetus, you should not take Ella if you suspect you are already pregnant. Take a pregnancy test at your healthcare provider’s office before getting this prescription.
The morning-after pill, rather than an IUD, may be a safer choice forwomen at increased risk forsexually transmitted diseases (STDs). This includes, but is not limited to, women who have had unprotected sex with infected partners, have experienced sexual assault, or who use IV drugs (or have a partner who does).
Bacteria from a preexisting infection can be introduced into the uterus during IUD insertion. If this is left untreated, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
Also of note, research suggests that the effectiveness of the EC pills might be less inwomen with obesity. While the evidence is only fair to poor quality, this could be a concern. In these cases, use of the emergency copper IUD might be preferred. Women may also want to have EC pills on-hand so they may be taken without delay for the best effectiveness.
What Emergency Contraception Is Not
Emergency contraception of any kind isnota means of STD protection or ongoing pregnancy prevention. Other birth control methods should be used after you use EC if you do not wish to be pregnant.
Some people confuse emergency contraceptive pills with theabortion pill (RU486). These two medications serve very different purposes and do not work in the same way.
Emergency contraceptive pillscannotend a pregnancy and should not hurt an existing pregnancy.
Scientific and medical authorities are in agreement that emergency contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy (with the same action as regular birth control pills). This helps women avoid having to face the choice of whether or not to have anabortion, if one would be considered, in the case of unintended pregnancy.
Still, there is some public opposition to emergency contraceptive on various grounds, including opposition to any artificial birth control means, confusion as to whether it might terminate a pregnancy, and parental concerns over their child’s use of contraception without their knowledge or consent.
Because timing is a concern with emergency contraception, call your pharmacy/drugstore before you go there to make sure that they have what you need in stock.
Some stores may keep these forms of EC at the pharmacy counter, and the pharmacy may be closed even if the store is still open. It may be a good idea to buy a pack of one of the morning-after pills to already have at home—this way, if you need it, you can take it immediately.
History of Availability
Until 2016, there was a wrinkle in how generic products were labeled, as Plan B One-Step was the only product allowed to be labeled as being available for people of all ages; generic labels were required to say the drugs were intended for use in women 17 years of age or older (although they could be sold to anyone).This label requirement had to do with politics rather than safety.
This mandate expired in 2016, so confusion should now be eliminated.
Morning-After Pill: Cost, How to Get It, Effectiveness
The cost for emergency contraception widely varies and depends upon the EC method. Total fees can range from about $40 to $50 for Plan B One-Step;its generic alternatives are typically priced around 10% to 20% less. Ella usually costs $50 or more, and it can cost up to around $1000 to obtain the ParaGard IUD.
Even though Plan B One-Step, Take Action, Next Choice One Dose, My Way, Fallback Solo, Opcicon One-Step, and EContraEZ are all available over-the-counter, you may still need a prescription (regardless of your age) in order for your insurance tocover the costof these medications, so be sure to check your health policy’s rules.
Privacy ConcernsBeing able to buy EC pills over the counter allows women of any age to procure them discreetly. However, note that obtaining a prescription option may open you up to privacy concerns. For example, if you are a teen on your parent’s health insurance, it is likely they will receive paperwork regarding services and payments.
Privacy Concerns
Being able to buy EC pills over the counter allows women of any age to procure them discreetly. However, note that obtaining a prescription option may open you up to privacy concerns. For example, if you are a teen on your parent’s health insurance, it is likely they will receive paperwork regarding services and payments.
A Word From Verywell
Almost half (45%) of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the United States each year are unintended. Many of these pregnancies are due to contraceptive failure or not using birth control. Emergency contraception offers you a last-chance option to prevent pregnancy. It is safe and effective.
14 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Emergency contraception.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Emergency contraception.Gemzell-Danielsson K, Berger C.Emergency contraception—mechanisms of action.Contraception. 2013;87(3):300-308. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2012.08.021Planned Parenthood.Should I get a copper or a hormonal IUD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Emergency contraception.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) [labeling].U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Emergency contraception.Jatlaoui TC, Curtis KM.Safety and effectiveness data for emergency contraceptive pills among women with obesity: a systematic review.Contraception. 2016;94(6):605–611. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2016.05.002Najera DB.Emergency contraception: focus on the facts.JAAPA. 2016;29(1):20-4. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000475459.00348.81Tummino v. Hamburg, 936 F. Supp. 2d 162 - Dist. Court, ED New YorkFood and Drug Administration.Reference ID: 3460250.Planned Parenthood.What’s the Plan B morning-after pill?University of Michigan: University Health Services.Contraception cost, insurance and payment.Planned Parenthood.What’s the ella morning-after pill?Additional ReadingNoé G, Croxatto HB, Salvatierra AM, et al.Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation.Contraception. 2011;84(5):486–492. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.006Prine L.Emergency contraception, myths and facts.Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2007;34(1):127–136. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2007.01.004
14 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.World Health Organization.Emergency contraception.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Emergency contraception.Gemzell-Danielsson K, Berger C.Emergency contraception—mechanisms of action.Contraception. 2013;87(3):300-308. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2012.08.021Planned Parenthood.Should I get a copper or a hormonal IUD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Emergency contraception.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) [labeling].U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Emergency contraception.Jatlaoui TC, Curtis KM.Safety and effectiveness data for emergency contraceptive pills among women with obesity: a systematic review.Contraception. 2016;94(6):605–611. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2016.05.002Najera DB.Emergency contraception: focus on the facts.JAAPA. 2016;29(1):20-4. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000475459.00348.81Tummino v. Hamburg, 936 F. Supp. 2d 162 - Dist. Court, ED New YorkFood and Drug Administration.Reference ID: 3460250.Planned Parenthood.What’s the Plan B morning-after pill?University of Michigan: University Health Services.Contraception cost, insurance and payment.Planned Parenthood.What’s the ella morning-after pill?Additional ReadingNoé G, Croxatto HB, Salvatierra AM, et al.Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation.Contraception. 2011;84(5):486–492. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.006Prine L.Emergency contraception, myths and facts.Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2007;34(1):127–136. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2007.01.004
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
World Health Organization.Emergency contraception.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Emergency contraception.Gemzell-Danielsson K, Berger C.Emergency contraception—mechanisms of action.Contraception. 2013;87(3):300-308. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2012.08.021Planned Parenthood.Should I get a copper or a hormonal IUD?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Emergency contraception.U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) [labeling].U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Emergency contraception.Jatlaoui TC, Curtis KM.Safety and effectiveness data for emergency contraceptive pills among women with obesity: a systematic review.Contraception. 2016;94(6):605–611. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2016.05.002Najera DB.Emergency contraception: focus on the facts.JAAPA. 2016;29(1):20-4. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000475459.00348.81Tummino v. Hamburg, 936 F. Supp. 2d 162 - Dist. Court, ED New YorkFood and Drug Administration.Reference ID: 3460250.Planned Parenthood.What’s the Plan B morning-after pill?University of Michigan: University Health Services.Contraception cost, insurance and payment.Planned Parenthood.What’s the ella morning-after pill?
World Health Organization.Emergency contraception.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Emergency contraception.
Gemzell-Danielsson K, Berger C.Emergency contraception—mechanisms of action.Contraception. 2013;87(3):300-308. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2012.08.021
Planned Parenthood.Should I get a copper or a hormonal IUD?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Emergency contraception.
U.S. Food & Drug Administration.Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) [labeling].
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.Emergency contraception.
Jatlaoui TC, Curtis KM.Safety and effectiveness data for emergency contraceptive pills among women with obesity: a systematic review.Contraception. 2016;94(6):605–611. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2016.05.002
Najera DB.Emergency contraception: focus on the facts.JAAPA. 2016;29(1):20-4. doi:10.1097/01.JAA.0000475459.00348.81
Tummino v. Hamburg, 936 F. Supp. 2d 162 - Dist. Court, ED New York
Food and Drug Administration.Reference ID: 3460250.
Planned Parenthood.What’s the Plan B morning-after pill?
University of Michigan: University Health Services.Contraception cost, insurance and payment.
Planned Parenthood.What’s the ella morning-after pill?
Noé G, Croxatto HB, Salvatierra AM, et al.Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation.Contraception. 2011;84(5):486–492. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.006Prine L.Emergency contraception, myths and facts.Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2007;34(1):127–136. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2007.01.004
Noé G, Croxatto HB, Salvatierra AM, et al.Contraceptive efficacy of emergency contraception with levonorgestrel given before or after ovulation.Contraception. 2011;84(5):486–492. doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2011.03.006
Prine L.Emergency contraception, myths and facts.Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. 2007;34(1):127–136. doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2007.01.004
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