Emergency Contraception (EC)
Regardless of your choice of birth control, accidents can and do happen. If the condom broke, if you forgot to take your pill, or if you had sex when you didn't want or plan to, you can can get Plan B emergency contraception (EC) at Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio.
Plan B emergency contraception, or the "morning after pill," prevents a pregnancy before it starts. This pill works best when taken within 3 days of unprotected sex, the earlier the better. Studies have shown that even if EC is taken as late as 5 days after unprotected sex, it still may prevent pregnancy. Plan B emergency contraception is over-the-counter at Planned Parenthood and many pharmacies for people age 18 and older. Women who are under age 18 can still get emergency contraception at Planned Parenthood by prescription.
EC is available on a walk-in basis at all Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio health centers. Walk-in days and hours vary. So if you recently had unprotected sex and want emergency contraception (EC), call the nearest Planned Parenthood health center at 1-800-230-PLAN as soon as possible or scan our emergency contraception walk-in days and hours.
Using emergency contraception (EC) within 5 days of unprotected sex signficantly reduces the chance of becoming pregnant. But the sooner you use it, the better. EC works by preventing ovulation, fertilization or implantation. EC will not disrupt an existing pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood of Northeast Ohio recommends keeping an advance supply of emergency contraception (EC) in your medicine cabinet. You do not have to be an established patient to obtain EC.
To speak with a medical professional about emergency contraception, please call one of our local health centers or 1-800-230-PLAN for the health center nearerst you.
To reorder your birth control supplies, including emergency contraception, click here.
Still Confused?
Some people may be confused about the difference between the "morning after pill" (emergency contraception) and the "abortion pill" (mifepristone-formerly known as RU-486). Here's the difference:
Morning-After Pill
The morning after pill, or emergency contraception, prevents a pregnancy before it starts. This pill works best when taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex, the earlier the better. However, studies have shown that even if EC is taken as late as 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex they may prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception will not work if a pregnancy is already established.
The Abortion Pill
The abortion pill called mifeprex (and sometimes referred to as RU486, an earlier version of mifeprex) ends a pregnancy. Patients take Mifeprex orally, followed 24 to 48 hours later by another drug, misoprostol. Mifeprex is a safe and effective non-surgical method for ending early pregnancy, defined as 56 days (8 weeks) or fewer since the first day of the last menstrual period. Mifeprex's effectiveness rate exceeds 95%.
For more information about emergency contraception, click here.
To make an appointment or for more information, please contact one of our local health centers directly or call 1-800-230-PLAN to be connected to the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you. |
