Think you need Emergency Contraception?
We’re here to help.
When it comes to sex, sometimes unexpected things can happen that put people at risk for pregnancy. If you think that this could be you, or your friend, or your partner, we’re here to help. This website has information you should know if you think you might need emergency contraception, also known as EC. EC is used after sex to lower the risk of pregnancy. Most people don’t know there are three kinds of EC. This site will tell you about all three, so that you can choose the one that’s best for you.
What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception is a safe way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. EC should only be used as a backup method and not for regular birth control. If you need regular birth control, talk to a doctor or nurse about what is right for you. EC is not an abortion pill, it prevents a pregnancy from occurring in the first place.
Who might need EC?
Anyone who has had sex that puts them at risk for an unwanted pregnancy should consider using EC. This includes:
- Sexual intercourse when no birth control was used
- Birth control method failure, for example, condom broke or slipped, withdrawal failed
- Sex after forgetting birth control pills, patch or ring. Check out what to do if you have forgotten.
- Sexual assault if not using effective birth control
What is the risk of pregnancy without EC?
The risk changes depending on the time in the menstrual cycle. We know that on average, if 100 women have unprotected sex during the second or third week of their menstrual cycle, 8 will become pregnant without the use of EC. EC can decrease this risk significantly.
