Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception at carafem

carafem offers over-the-counter EC for as little as $25, with no appointment necessary.

What is Emergency Contraception?

Emergency contraception (EC), also commonly known as the morning-after-pill or Plan B, is a way to prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sex when taken within 72 hours.

You should consider EC if any of the following has happened:

• You had unprotected sex or have experienced a sexual assault within the last five days (120 hours)

• You forgot to take your regular birth control pills more than twice and are unsure if you are still protected

• You were using a condom during sex but it broke or slipped off

When should I take a Plan B / EC pill?

If you have unprotected sex or a condom breaks, you should take over-the-counter EC as soon as possible within the first 72 hours. If the 72 hour window has passed, you can also get a prescription for the EC brand Ella, which can be taken at any time within five days (or 120 hours) after sex to reduce your risk of pregnancy.

If you take daily oral birth control pills but have missed more than two pills, keep taking your birth control pills, even after taking EC, and use a condom for the next 7 days. Know that this can cause changes in your next period.

If you’re not using any regular type of contraception, you can still protect yourself from pregnancy in the heat of the moment. Use a condom, cervical cap, or diaphragm, or try activities other than penis-in-vagina sex. EC can be a good backup in case you are worried this may have failed.

Will emergency contraception work if I’m already pregnant?

If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not disrupt or end a pregnancy! If you are already pregnant and don’t want to be, carafem can help you with making an abortion plan. We have a detailed post outlining the differences between emergency contraception and the abortion pill to make this clear how each of these options is different.

In some locations, we also offer a “Missed Period Pill” option for those who have had unprotected sex but don’t know if they are pregnant and want to play it safe.

What are my EC options?

There are several types of emergency contraception: over-the-counter (non-prescription), which you can buy at most pharmacies under names like Plan B, One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice, My Way, or Levonorgestrel.

carafem offers over-the-counter emergency contraception for just $25. Over-the-counter EC usually costs around $50 at pharmacies and needs to be taken ASAP within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex. It is more effective the sooner it is taken.

You can also buy prescription EC, called Ella. While Ella is a bit more expensive (usually around $90), its effectiveness does not decrease over time, as long as it is taken within 5 days after sex and it may be more effective for those with a BMI of 26 or more.

Can I use an IUD as emergency contraception?

Yes! An IUD is the most effective form of EC, lowering your chance of becoming pregnant by 99.9%. Once an IUD is inserted, it can protect you from pregnancy, depending on the type, for up to 12 years, and it won’t affect your natural ability to get pregnant in the future. Best of all, it can be taken out at any time within those 12 years if you want to get pregnant or switch birth control methods.

Copper IUDs or most hormonal IUDs are now both recognized as effective choices for emergency contraception. These options can be expensive, but many insurance plans cover contraception. carafem can help you learn if your insurance will pay for an IUD, and there are financial aid options at carafem that can decrease the cost to almost free for those who qualify. If you want to use an IUD as emergency contraception, you must make an appointment and have a medical provider insert one as soon as possible after unprotected sex. carafem can do this, often as soon as the same or the next day! Make an appointment today.

Make a plan for birth control you feel good about.

If your birth control is not a good fit and want to try something new, it’s probably a good time to switch methods. Make an appointment with us today to find out what other options you have to prevent pregnancy.