Emergency contraception (EC) is sometimes called the morning-after pill or Plan B. It is contraception used as soon as possible up to 5 days after unprotected sex if contraception isn’t used,
contraception fails, or when sex is coerced or forced.
There are two kinds of EC pills:
- Progestin-only EC (Plan B One-Step and generics like AfterPill) is available over-the-counter (OTC).
- Ulipristal acetate EC (sold as ella) is available with prescription only.
A copper IUD inserted within 5 days after unprotected sex can also be used as EC, and it has the added benefit of providing long-term pregnancy prevention.
EC is NOT the same as the abortion pill; EC prevents pregnancy before it happens.
Exact effectiveness rates are hard to calculate for EC pills, because it’s difficult to know the risk of pregnancy for a particular act of intercourse. Here are some things to know about EC
effectiveness:
- The copper IUD is by far the most effective option, followed by ulipristal acetate (ella - the prescription-only pill) and progestin-only EC (the OTC pill).
- Both pills may be ineffective for users over a certain weight. Progestin-only EC may be ineffective for users over 165 lbs, and ulipristal acetate may be ineffective for users over 195 lbs.
- EC pills are an important option that should be available to everyone, but both types are less effective than regular contraceptives.
- Check out this chart comparing the effectiveness of different types of EC
Progestin-only EC (Plan B One-Step and generics such as Aftera) is approved for over-the-counter (OTC) sale, but access is not always easy:
- Not all campus health centers offer EC
- Health center and pharmacy hours may be limited, especially on nights and weekends, when people may need EC the most
- Students may have difficulty getting to a local pharmacy
- Pharmacy prices are high ($40-50)
- EC is not always stocked directly on the shelf - people buying EC may need to ask pharmacy staff for it, which can feel like a violation of privacy
- Some pharmacies still ask for proof of ID, based on outdated age restrictions