Emergency Contraception
(“The Morning After Pill”)
The Facts:
Emergency contraception is not an abortion
Emergency contraception will not harm an existing pregnancy
Emergency contraception needs to be used within 5 days of unprotected sex
The sooner emergency contraception is used the better it works
Emergency contraception does not work as well as regular birth control
Types of Emergency Contraception:
Copper IUD:
The most effective emergency contraception option
Prevents pregnancy more than 99% of the time
Ella:
Requires a prescription
More effective than over the counter emergency contraception pills like Plan B
More effective in people who weigh more
May not work as well if you weigh more than 195 pounds
Decreases your risk of pregnancy by 85% if used within 5 days of sex
Over the counter emergency contraception such as Plan B:
Least effective of the emergency contraceptive methods
If you weigh over 165 pounds this method doesn’t work as well
Decreases your risk of pregnancy by 75% if used within 3 days of sex