Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or after the failure of a regular method of birth control.  Some forms may be effective up to 5 days after unprotected sex, although effectiveness decreases the longer you wait.

Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are effective up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex. Both are available with or without a prescription at any Planned Parenthood. It can be purchased by both males and females. 

• Prescriptions are available by making an appointment to speak with a provider. Call 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment. Walk-in appointments are available at most Planned Parenthood health centers. Please arrive earlier than one hour before closing.

ella, a newly FDA approved emergency contraception is effective up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.

• You do need a prescription to receive ella. Prescriptions are available by making an appointment to speak with a provider. Call 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment. Walk-in appointments are available at most Planned Parenthood health centers. Please arrive earlier than one hour before closing.

A Paragard IUD can be used as emergency contraception if inserted by a health care provider within five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. It is 99.9 percent effective, even on day five, and can be left in as ongoing birth control for as long as you want, up to 12 years. This makes it the most effective type of emergency contraception out there. While IUDs can be more expensive upfront (ranging from $500 to $900), they are more economical because they can be left in as extremely effective birth control for years. Insurance may cover some or all of this cost. Talk with your health care provider if you're interested in getting an IUD and to find out how to use your insurance at Planned Parenthood.

• Prescriptions are available by making an appointment to speak with a provider. Call 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment. Walk-in appointments are available at most Planned Parenthood health centers. Please arrive earlier than one hour before closing.

More information on Emergency Contraception.

Your Body Mass Index may change how effective various methods of Emergency Contraception are for you. Read this explanation for more information and ask your doctor if weight should be considered when you decide on an EC method.