Plan B

Accidents happen: the condom breaks, you missed a pill, your shot was late...

Now what?!  Don't worry - back up your birth control with EC.

Emergency Contraception – or EC for short – is a back-up method of birth control.  EC is also known as Plan B or the morning-after-pill.  It is a safe and effective way to help prevent pregnancy AFTER unprotected sex or birth control failure and when used within five days of unprotected sex can significantly reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.

EC contains a higher dosage of the same hormones found in birth control pills.  It is NOT the same thing as Mifeprex or RU-486, the medical abortion pill.  EC will not terminate an existing pregnancy; it will not work if a woman is already pregnant.

Planned Parenthood of Southeast Iowa provides EC to all women regardless of age.  Cost is based on a sliding fee scale and/or insurance.  EC is also available without a prescription (over-the-counter) for women 18 years and older at your local pharmacy.  Women younger than 18 will need a prescription from their doctor or health care provider to obtain EC at a pharmacy.  Cost at a pharmacy is based on your insurance and pharmacy costs.  Our sliding fee scale does not apply.

Visit I Need EC or click the links to the right for more information on Emergency Contraception.  Visit Project Pharmacy for more information on barriers women come across while trying to access EC at their local pharmacies.