When all else fails, emergency contraception gives women a second chance to prevent pregnancy.
Popularly known as the "Morning After Pill" emergency contraception (EC) pills are like ordinary birth control pills in that they contain the hormones estrogen and progestin.
EC works by giving the body a short burst of synthetic hormones that disrupt the hormone patterns needed for a pregnancy to start.
The most common brand name is Plan B but many kinds of regular birth control pills will also work. EC is most effective when the first dose is take 24-48 hours after unprotected intercourse but it can work for several days. The second dose is usually taken 12 hours after the first.
Almost all women can use the emergency contraceptive pills, even those who would not choose birth control pills for their regular method of contraception.
Clinics all over the country are listed in the hotline's directory. If a woman seeking emergency contraception already has birth control pills in her possession, this page explains how to use them as emergency contraception.
Emergency Contraceptive (EC) pills work by interrupting the process of an egg becoming fertilized.
Are you ready to start on a regular method of birth control? See our comparison of various options.
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Updated
May 13, 2009
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