Emergency Contraception. What You Need to Know.
What Is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception is birth control you can use after sex to prevent pregnancy. It’s not an abortion pill—it works by delaying ovulation so fertilization can’t happen. If you’re not ready for a pregnancy, this backup method can offer peace of mind.
Types of Emergency Contraception
There are two main kinds of emergency contraception:
1. Pills (Plan B, Ella, generics)
- Plan B is available over the counter and works best within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
- Ella requires a prescription, but is more effective closer to ovulation.
2. Copper IUD (Paragard)
- The copper IUD is the most effective method and can be placed up to five days after sex.
- It can also serve as long-term birth control for up to 10 years.
When Should You Take It?
Take emergency contraception as soon as possible after unprotected sex, missed pills, or contraceptive failure (like a broken condom). The sooner, the better. Plan B is less effective after 3 days. Ella can work up to 5 days, but timing is key.
Will It Affect Fertility or Future Pregnancy?
Nope. Emergency contraception doesn’t harm your future chances of getting pregnant. It won’t disrupt an existing pregnancy either.
Emergency contraception is safe, effective, and widely available—but it’s not a regular birth control method. If you find yourself using it frequently, consider a longer-term option that suits your lifestyle.
Visit our birth control options page to explore more. Or check out our blog on abortion pills for future use for related info.
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