EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

Emergency contraception is NOT a regular method of birth control. Emergency contraception can be used after no birth control was used during sex, or if the birth control method failed, such as if a condom broke.

Copper IUD—Women can have the copper T IUD inserted within five days of unprotected sex.

Emergency contraceptive pills—Women can take emergency contraceptive pills up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but the sooner the pills are taken, the better they will work. There are three different types of emergency contraceptive pills available in the United States. Some emergency contraceptive pills are available over the counter.

Content source: Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health