Emergency contraception

Backup birth control

A condom breaks. You forget to take your pill. No matter your situation, you can use emergency contraception as backup birth control up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It’s a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy.

You should use emergency contraception if:

• You had sex without any kind of birth control
  
  
• You forgot to take your birth control (missed a pill, forgot to insert the ring, or forgot to put on the patch)
  
  
• A condom breaks or leaks
  
  
• You were forced to have unprotected sex

Here's what you need to know

There are 4 products available for emergency contraception:

1. Levonorgestrel pill

• This hormone pill is available without a prescription at drugstores and pharmacies — including Kaiser Permanente. It’s also commonly referred to as the morning-after pill.
  
  
• You don’t need to share any private information to get it.
  
  
• A few common over-the-counter brands are Plan B and EContra. But there are several other brands available. Look for the active ingredient: levonorgestrel 1.5 mg.
  
  
• It works best if you take it within 3 days after unprotected sex. 
  
  
• It may not work as well if you weigh more than 165 pounds (75 kg) or have a body mass index of 30 or higher. 
  

2. Ulipristal acetate pill

• There’s only one brand of this morning-after pill. It’s called ella.
  
  
• You need a prescription from a health care provider to get it. 
  
  
• You can take it up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

3. Copper IUD

• It needs to be inserted by a health care provider within 5 days after unprotected sex.
  
  
• It’s the most effective form of emergency contraception, at nearly 100%.¹ 
  
  
• Once inserted, the copper IUD provides ongoing pregnancy prevention for up to 10 to 12 years, or until you choose to have it removed.
  

• It needs to be inserted by a health care provider within 5 days after unprotected sex.
  
  
• The hormonal IUD, specifically levonorgestrel 52 mg, is one of the most effective forms of emergency contraception, at nearly 100%.²
  
  
• Once inserted, the hormonal IUD provides ongoing pregnancy prevention for up to 6 to 8 years, or until you choose to have it removed.

How emergency contraception works

• The levonorgestrel pill and ulipristal acetate pill work by delaying the release of an egg. This prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. Without an egg, you cannot get pregnant. After you take an emergency contraceptive pill, it’s important to still start or restart a birth control method right away to get the most protection. The emergency contraceptive pill delays ovulation, it doesn’t stop it completely, so you could get pregnant a few days later when the egg is released for ovulation.
  
  
• The exact way that a copper IUD and hormonal IUD work as emergency contraception isn’t completely known. The copper and hormonal IUD may affect both the egg and sperm’s viability and function. This means it affects the ability of the egg and sperm to reach each other and fertilize. Without an egg, you cannot get pregnant. The IUD may also affect the uterine lining, making it difficult for an embryo to implant or stick to the wall of the uterus.
  
  
• Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs/STDs). Use a condom to reduce your risk of STIs.

Risk factors for emergency contraception

• Emergency contraception is safe. There are no long-term or severe side effects.

• Emergency contraceptive pills and IUDs have no effect on your ability to get pregnant in the future. IUDs also provide ongoing pregnancy prevention, up to 6 to 8 years for the hormonal IUD, and up to 10 to 12 years for the copper IUD.

• Some people experience minor discomfort like nausea, vomiting, headache, or stomach pain a day or 2 after taking an emergency contraceptive pill. It can also cause a change in your period that month.
  
  
• Some people experience cramps or vaginal bleeding during the IUD insertion and for a few days after the procedure.
  
  
• For more details on IUD risk factors, look at the hormonal IUD and copper IUD webpages, and talk to your provider about any questions.
  

 Choosing the right emergency contraceptive

There are several factors to consider when deciding on the type of emergency contraception to use, such as: 

• When you had unprotected sex

• How easy it is for you to get it

• Your height and weight

• If you’ve used the pill, patch, or ring in the last 5 days

• Whether you’re breastfeeding

Talk to a provider about the best emergency contraception method for you. You can call us 24/7 for advice or set up a same-day phone appointment with a provider. You can tell the provider about your situation and they can quickly give you a recommendation.

And if all else fails, remember that using whichever method you can get is still better than not using anything at all.
 

We're here to help

© 2020 Kaiser Permanente

¹ “Emergency Contraception,” PlannedParenthood.org, accessed August 13, 2019.

²David K. Turok, MD, et al., “Levonorgestrel vs. Copper Intrauterine Devices for Emergency Contraception,” The New England Journal of Medicine, January 28, 2021, p. 335.