Learning About Emergency Contraception Pills

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal sex. For example, you can use it if you were sexually assaulted (raped). You can also use it if a condom breaks or if you think your birth control didn't work.

If you had unprotected vaginal sex, you could get pregnant. This is true even if you haven't started your periods yet or you're close to menopause.

If you use emergency contraception right away, it might prevent an unplanned pregnancy. It may also keep you from worrying while you wait for your next period.

One option is emergency contraception ("morning-after") pills. These pills don't work as well as regular types of birth control. If it's important to you to prevent pregnancy, talk to your doctor about a type of regular birth control that will work for you.

How do you use emergency contraception pills?

• Always follow the directions in the package. In general:
  • The pills come in 1-pill or 2-pill packages. If you choose the package with 2 pills, you can take both pills at the same time. Or you can take 1 pill right away and the second pill 12 hours later.
  • You can use these pills up to 5 days after unprotected vaginal sex. But the sooner you take them, the more likely they are to prevent pregnancy.

What else do you need to know?

• If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception should not harm the pregnancy.
• After you use the pills, your next period may be early or late. If your next period does not start within 3 weeks, call your doctor for a pregnancy test. Or you can take a home pregnancy test.
• The pills won't prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Using condoms during sex can help reduce your risk of getting an STI. If you're worried that you might have been exposed to an STI, talk to your doctor.
• The pills may cause spotting or mild side effects such as a headache or nausea. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pills, call your doctor for advice. You may need to repeat the dose.
• You can get emergency contraception without a prescription at most drugstores.
• If you want to continue to prevent pregnancy, talk to your doctor about a birth control method to use regularly that will work for you.