<p>Emergency contraception (EC) (sometimes called the "morning after pill") can stop a pregnancy before it starts by delaying ovulation. There are three different kinds of EC: an over-the-counter pill, a prescription-only pill (called ella), and certain IUDs.</p> <p>Both the over-the-counter pill and the prescription-only pill work if you take them within five days (or 120 hours) after having unprotected penis-in-vagina sex. The sooner you take EC pills, the more effective they are, but prescription-only EC is more likely to be effective on the fifth day after unprotected sex than over-the-counter EC is. So it's a good idea to get EC in advance, so that if you need it in the future, you'll have it on hand and can start it as soon as possible.</p> <p>Some people think that the emergency contraception pill is the same as the abortion pill, but they're actually completely different. Both types of emergency contraception pills work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from one of your ovaries) during your current menstrual cycle. If you don't ovulate, then there's no egg for your partner's sperm to fertilize. The abortion pill, on the other hand, stops a pregnancy that has already started (which means you've ovulated, the egg has been fertilized, and the fertilized egg has implanted in your uterus). Then it brings on your period, which flushes everything out of your uterus. </p> <p>While EC pills are the most well-known kind of emergency contraception, the most effective kind of EC is actually having an IUD inserted within five days of having unprotected sex. </p> <p>There are three IUDs that we know work as EC: Paragard, LILETTA, and Mirena. Not only can they prevent a pregnancy from starting after you've had unprotected sex, but they can also act as an extremely effective birth control method moving forward. </p>
<p>Everyone worries about negative side effects, but for many women, they're not a problem. And if you do experience side effects with EC, they'll probably go away after 24 hours.</p>
<p>Emergency contraception (EC) (sometimes called the "morning after pill") can stop a pregnancy before it starts by delaying ovulation. There are three different kinds of EC: an over-the-counter pill, a prescription-only pill (called ella), and certain IUDs.</p> <p>Both the over-the-counter pill and the prescription-only pill work if you take them within five days (or 120 hours) after having unprotected penis-in-vagina sex. The sooner you take EC pills, the more effective they are, but prescription-only EC is more likely to be effective on the fifth day after unprotected sex than over-the-counter EC is. So it's a good idea to get EC in advance, so that if you need it in the future, you'll have it on hand and can start it as soon as possible.</p> <p>Some people think that the emergency contraception pill is the same as the abortion pill, but they're actually completely different. Both types of emergency contraception pills work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from one of your ovaries) during your current menstrual cycle. If you don't ovulate, then there's no egg for your partner's sperm to fertilize. The abortion pill, on the other hand, stops a pregnancy that has already started (which means you've ovulated, the egg has been fertilized, and the fertilized egg has implanted in your uterus). Then it brings on your period, which flushes everything out of your uterus. </p> <p>While EC pills are the most well-known kind of emergency contraception, the most effective kind of EC is actually having an IUD inserted within five days of having unprotected sex. </p> <p>There are three IUDs that we know work as EC: Paragard, LILETTA, and Mirena. Not only can they prevent a pregnancy from starting after you've had unprotected sex, but they can also act as an extremely effective birth control method moving forward. </p>
<p>The IUD as EC is super effective. The prescription-only EC pill is more effective than the over-the-counter EC pill but neither is as good at preventing pregnancy as lots of methods you can use before or during sex.</p>
<p>Positive "side effects"? You bet. There are actually lots of things about birth control that are good for your body as well as your sex life.</p>
<p>Emergency contraception (EC) (sometimes called the "morning after pill") can stop a pregnancy before it starts by delaying ovulation. There are three different kinds of EC: an over-the-counter pill, a prescription-only pill (called ella), and certain IUDs.</p> <p>Both the over-the-counter pill and the prescription-only pill work if you take them within five days (or 120 hours) after having unprotected penis-in-vagina sex. The sooner you take EC pills, the more effective they are, but prescription-only EC is more likely to be effective on the fifth day after unprotected sex than over-the-counter EC is. So it's a good idea to get EC in advance, so that if you need it in the future, you'll have it on hand and can start it as soon as possible.</p> <p>Some people think that the emergency contraception pill is the same as the abortion pill, but they're actually completely different. Both types of emergency contraception pills work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from one of your ovaries) during your current menstrual cycle. If you don't ovulate, then there's no egg for your partner's sperm to fertilize. The abortion pill, on the other hand, stops a pregnancy that has already started (which means you've ovulated, the egg has been fertilized, and the fertilized egg has implanted in your uterus). Then it brings on your period, which flushes everything out of your uterus. </p> <p>While EC pills are the most well-known kind of emergency contraception, the most effective kind of EC is actually having an IUD inserted within five days of having unprotected sex. </p> <p>There are three IUDs that we know work as EC: Paragard, LILETTA, and Mirena. Not only can they prevent a pregnancy from starting after you've had unprotected sex, but they can also act as an extremely effective birth control method moving forward. </p>
<p>Emergency contraception (EC) (sometimes called the "morning after pill") can stop a pregnancy before it starts by delaying ovulation. There are three different kinds of EC: an over-the-counter pill, a prescription-only pill (called ella), and certain IUDs.</p> <p>Both the over-the-counter pill and the prescription-only pill work if you take them within five days (or 120 hours) after having unprotected penis-in-vagina sex. The sooner you take EC pills, the more effective they are, but prescription-only EC is more likely to be effective on the fifth day after unprotected sex than over-the-counter EC is. So it's a good idea to get EC in advance, so that if you need it in the future, you'll have it on hand and can start it as soon as possible.</p> <p>Some people think that the emergency contraception pill is the same as the abortion pill, but they're actually completely different. Both types of emergency contraception pills work by preventing ovulation (the release of an egg from one of your ovaries) during your current menstrual cycle. If you don't ovulate, then there's no egg for your partner's sperm to fertilize. The abortion pill, on the other hand, stops a pregnancy that has already started (which means you've ovulated, the egg has been fertilized, and the fertilized egg has implanted in your uterus). Then it brings on your period, which flushes everything out of your uterus. </p> <p>While EC pills are the most well-known kind of emergency contraception, the most effective kind of EC is actually having an IUD inserted within five days of having unprotected sex. </p> <p>There are three IUDs that we know work as EC: Paragard, LILETTA, and Mirena. Not only can they prevent a pregnancy from starting after you've had unprotected sex, but they can also act as an extremely effective birth control method moving forward. </p>
<h4>You had a "whoops" moment with your contraception</h4><p>If the condom broke, or you forgot to take your pill, insert your ring, apply your patch, or if your diaphragm slipped—anything like that—you may want to use EC.</p><h4>Withdrawal gone wrong</h4><p>If you’re not sure your partner pulled out in time, that's another reason you might think about using EC.</p><h4>You got swept up in the moment</h4><p>Maybe it was due to the influence of alcohol. Maybe you thought you could go without birth control just this once. Maybe you didn’t think about it at all. No matter the reason, if you didn’t use any protection during sex and don't want to get pregnant, EC might be for you—as long as it’s been less than five days since that unprotected encounter. </p><h4>For scary situations</h4><p>Rape is a horrible thing, but it happens. If you've been raped, or if you had sex with someone who refused to use another form of contraception, consider EC.</p><h4>Keep some on hand</h4><p>The sooner you take EC, the more effective it is. So it's not a bad idea to keep a box of one of the EC pill varieties on hand, just in case you need it.</p><h4>The EC that keeps going</h4><p>If find yourself in need of EC and want a longer-lasting solution, the Paragard IUD is the most effective EC option by far and can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The best part? You'll have an easy and super-effective birth control method for up to 12 years.</p><p class="">Don't take our word for it. Check out the videos above to hear people talk about their experiences with emergency contraception. And be sure to ask your health care provider which method is best for you.</p>
<p class="">Emergency Contraception isn't a method you should rely on all the time—there are much more effective methods out there. But if you have unprotected sex, it's the quickest and easiest "after-the-fact" option out there. Here are the different types you can choose from.</p><h4>Copper-T IUD</h4><p>This is the most effective EC there is. If you get the Paragard <a href="/method-explorer/iud/basic-info">IUD</a> inserted within 5 days after unprotected sex, it can lower the chance of pregnancy by 99.9%. You'll need to make an appointment with a health care provider to have this procedure.</p><h4>ella</h4><p>You need a prescription to pick up ella at a local pharmacy. In some states, you can order it from an <a href="https://www.prjktruby.com/products/ella/">online pharmacy</a> without getting a prescription first (they handle that for you on their website). There's no age limit to access ella. Take the one-pill formula within 5 days after unprotected sex.</p><h4>Levonorgestrel-based pills</h4><p>Levonorgestrel-based EC pills are available off the shelf at pharmacies and grocery stores to anyone with no age restrictions. That means you should be able to buy Plan B One-Step or generic options like Next Choice One Dose, My Way, and Levonorgestrel without having a prescription or showing your ID. All levonorgestrel-based EC pills work like birth control pills, but at a much higher dose and taken temporarily. Best used as soon as possible, though they can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. <br> <br> Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, and My Way consist of just one pill that’s to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. (The original Plan B consisted of two pills and is no longer being sold.) <br> <br> Next Choice and Levonorgestrel are both two-pill formulas. The instructions say to take one pill right away and the second 12 hours later, but research shows you can also take both pills at the same time. </p><p><br> Remember: Use EC as soon as possible after you've had unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better—within 24-hours to three days is ideal. But EC will still reduce your risk of pregnancy for up to 5 days. (The instructions for Plan B and Next Choice say to take it within 72 hours after sex, but studies show that Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, and Levonorgestrel can be taken up to 5 days after sex.) </p>
<p>learn more about emergency contraception</p>
<p>The price of EC can vary a lot depending on where you get it (pharmacy vs. health center) and which type you decide to use. Keep in mind that if you buy over-the-counter EC, it won’t necessarily be covered by health insurance.</p><h3>Prices for Paragard*</h3><ul> <li><strong>This method may be free or low-cost for you</strong></li> <li><strong>With Medicaid:</strong> Free </li> <li><strong>With insurance:</strong> Free under most plans</li> <li><strong>Without insurance:</strong> Depending on your income, you may be able to go to a low-cost clinic to get Paragard at reduced cost. </li> </ul><p>The full price of Paragard can range from $500 - $932. To see how this translates over a year, here's what it would cost to pay for Paragard month-to-month at full price.</p><ul> <li><strong>Cost per month over one year:</strong> $41 - $77</li> <li><strong>Cost per month over five years:</strong> $8 - $15</li> <li><p><strong>Cost per month over 10 years:</strong> $4 - $7</p></li> <li><p><strong>Payment assistance:</strong> If you don’t have insurance, the manufacturer offers payment plans where you can make 4 or 12 monthly payments. Contact the manufacturer at <a href="https://www.paragard.com" target="_blank">Paragard.com</a> or 1-877-727-2427 to find out more. Also, check with your local family planning clinics to find out if they offer free or low-cost IUDs (many do).</p></li> </ul><h3>Prices for ella:*</h3><ul> <li><strong>With Medicaid:</strong> Free</li> <li><strong>With insurance:</strong> Free under most plans, though if you order it online or get it at the pharmacy you may need to claim it with your insurance company to get it covered.</li> <li><strong>Without insurance:</strong> ella is available online through an <a href="http://www.ella-kwikmed.com/">online health care prescription service, Kwikmed</a> and through <a href="https://www.prjktruby.com/">PRJKT RUBY</a> for a flat rate of $67.00 including next-day delivery.</li> <li><strong>Payment assistance:</strong> Check with your local family planning clinics to find out if they offer free or low cost EC (most do). </li> </ul><h3>Prices for Plan B One-Step and generic levonorgestrel-based EC pills:*</h3><ul> <li><strong>With Medicaid:</strong> Free</li> <li><strong>With insurance:</strong> Free if you can get a prescription (otherwise see the “without insurance” section).</li> <li><strong>Without insurance:</strong> $35 - $49.99 in stores and pharmacies; $21.00 - $49.99 online.</li> </ul><h4>In-store vendors</h4><p>Levonorgestrel-based EC pills are sold without a prescription at CVS, Target, Walgreens, Walmart, and many other stores and pharmacies. Prices can range from $25 - $39.99.</p><h4>Online vendors</h4><p>Tip: If it’s not an emergency and you just want to have some EC on hand, you can get EC from <a href="https://afterpill.com">AfterPill.com</a> for $25 including standard shipping.</p><p>We found Plan B One-Step and some of its generic forms including AfterPill, Take Action, Next Choice, My Way, and EContra EZ for sale through a bunch of different websites:</p><h4>Plan B One-Step</h4><ul> <li><p>Amazon.com: $31.60 - $38.50 </p></li> <li><p>CVS.com: $49.99</p></li> <li><p>Drugstore.com: $49.99</p></li> <li><p>RiteAid.com: $49.99</p></li> <li><p>Target.com: $49.99</p></li> <li><p>Walgreens.com: $49.99</p></li> <li><p>Walmart.com: $46.87</p></li> </ul><h4>AfterPill</h4><ul> <li><p>AfterPill.com: $25.00</p></li> <li><p>Amazon.com: $23.35 - $30.00</p></li> </ul><h4>EContra EZ</h4><ul> <li>PRJKTRUBY.com: $25.00</li> </ul><h4>My Way</h4><ul> <li><p>Amazon.com: $30.50</p></li> <li><p>RightAid.com: $39.99</p></li> </ul><h4>Next Choice</h4><ul> <li>Drugstore.com: $39.99</li> </ul><h4>Take Action</h4><ul> <li><p>Amazon.com: $24.70</p></li> <li><p>CVS.com: $39.99</p></li> <li><p>Drugstore.com: $39.99</p></li> <li><p>Target.com: $39.99</p></li> <li><p>Walgreens.com: $39.99</p></li> <li><p>Walmart.com: $34.78</p></li> </ul><p><em>Note: These prices are averaged—including taxes and standard shipping costs—from a survey of select online vendors as of June 2016. Prices may change over time.</em></p><ul> <li><strong>Payment assistance:</strong> Check with your local family planning clinics to find out if they offer free or low cost EC (most do). Also, manufacturers will sometimes offer money-saving coupons on their websites.</li> </ul>
<p>If you use the IUD as EC, over 99</p>
<p>If you use the IUD as EC, over 99</p>
<p>There are hormonal and non-hormonal options.</p>
<p>Anywhere from $0-$1300.</p>
<p>Emergency contraception doesn’t protect against STIs.</p>
<p>With the IUD, it's inserted once and can stay in for years with no ongoing effort. With EC pills, once you’re done taking them, you’re done.</p>
<p>With the IUD you might have bleeding changes and cramping. EC pills can cause temporary upset stomach, vomiting, changes to your period, and sore breasts.</p>
<p>Emergency contraception (EC) provides the possibility of pregnancy prevention after the fact.</p>