California Family Health Council, Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

(1)  Types of EC/Plan B: What is Emergency Contraception (EC)?

Emergency Contraceptive pills, are also know as the "Morning after pill", even though you can take them from one minute to 5 days after. EC pills help give you a second chance to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or your birth control method failed.

EC can be: 1) Plan B, the only commercial EC product available in the United States 2) Specific doses of regular birth control pills or 3) an IUD. Your clinic provider can help decide which EC is right for you.

(2)  Appropriate Use: When do I use Emergency Contraceptive (EC) pills?

Take EC pills as soon as you can after sex, but no later than 5 days. Use EC if your birth control method fails: the condom broke or slipped; 2 or more birth control pills in a row were skipped; your partner didn't pull out in time; or you didn't plan to have sex and didn't use any birth control.

(3)  Mechanism of Action: How do Emergency Contraceptive (EC) pills work?

Emergency Contraceptive pills work the same way other hormonal methods of birth control work, including the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding.

1. EC mainly works by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary (delay or inhibit ovulation). A recent study showed Plan B works this way 82% of the time.
2. If the egg left the ovary: they may keep the sperm from meeting the egg or keep the egg from attaching to the uterus.
3. EC pills will not hurt or end a pregnancy. It won’t work if you are pregnant. It’s not an abortion pill.

(4)  Effectiveness: How well does Emergency Contraception work?

No method is 100%. EC pills lower your chance of getting pregnant from unprotected sex. The sooner you take them the better they work!

1. EC pills work best when taken within 12 hours after sex.
2. It’s good to take them within 3 days, but can still work up to 5 days.
3. It's not as effective as using a birth control method the right way.

Yuzpe = 75% and Plan B = 89% average effectiveness ratings.

(5)  Safety: Is it safe to take Emergency Contracptive pills if I can't take regular birth control pills?

Yes. Women who cannot take hormones for medical reasons are safe to take emergency contraception. Contraindications are based on long-term use. EC is a short-term dose of hormones lasting about 24 hours in the body. Progestin-only pills, like Plan B, are available for women who cannot take too much estrogen. Some doctors say, EC pills are safer than aspirin.