Emergency Contraception (known as the morning-after pill or EC) prevents a pregnancy after sex. EC is a dose of hormone pills taken up to 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex (the sooner it's taken, the better) that can prevent a pregnancy from starting. The most common type of EC is called Plan B. Couples should use EC in the following situations: if the condom breaks or slips during sex, if the girl has forgotten to take two or more of her birth control pills, if the diaphragm or cervical cap has slipped, if the couple has not used birth control, or when a girl is sexually assaulted.
EC works in one of several ways:
• It prevents or delays the release of the woman's egg from her ovary
• It prevents fertilization (the egg and the sperm joining together)
• It prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus
EC does not cause an abortion. It prevents a pregnancy from actually starting. Some people get EC confused with "RU 486," the abortion pill. The abortion pill stops a pregnancy at around 4 to 7 weeks; EC prevents a pregnancy from ever happening.
The good news is that EC really works. It is very effective. It is also very safe.
Women can get EC from their physician, Planned Parenthood, community clinics, or hospital emergency rooms. Also, EC is now available at pharmacies – a woman can get EC just by asking for it at the pharmacy counter. She must be aged 18 years or older and has to show some sort of proof of her age. Also, in the fall of 2007, EC will be available for purchase by women in Vermont who are younger than 18. So, women can ask for it at the pharmacy counter and the pharmacists will help them to get the EC doses and will keep their requests confidential. EC usually is paid for by the user, but women can check about coverage with their insurance companies. Also, if you go to Planned Parenthood, they will use a sliding fee scale which means people are charged on their ability to pay.
If your partner needs EC now, click here to find out how to get confidential services.