Birth Control Insider: EC: A Plan for Preventing Pregnancy After Sex

What are EC pills?

Emergency Contraceptive (EC) pills are pills that have hormones in them that keep a woman from getting pregnant. If a woman doesn't use a birth control method, or if the method fails, a woman can take EC pills AFTER sex and still prevent pregnancy. This is why EC pills are also called the "morning after pill." The "morning after" name is misleading because the pills can still be taken up to 5 days after sex.

Who makes EC pills?

The most commonly used EC pills are Plan B. For more information about Plan B, call the Duramed/Barr Pharmaceuticals Plan B Information Center at
1-800-330-1271. For more information about the company, please visit their web site at www.barrlabs.com

How do EC pills work?

A woman can take either of two kinds of EC pills. She can take pills packaged especially for EC use that only contain the hormone progestin, like Plan B. Or she can take regular birth control pills in varying doses depending on the brand. Most brands of regular birth control pills contain both estrogen and progestin.

EC pills work mostly by stopping the woman's egg from leaving her ovary. A woman can't get pregnant if there is no egg to meet with the man's sperm. EC pills may also stop the sperm from reaching the egg or keep the egg from attaching to a woman's uterus.

EC pills are NOT the abortion pill. EC pills will not work if a woman is already pregnant. If she is pregnant, but doesn't know it, EC pills won't hurt her or her baby.

How do you use EC pills?

EC pills should be taken ASAP after having a birth control accident like a broken condom or having unprotected sex. They work best if taken within the first 12 hours, but can still work for up to 5 days. Some clinics will give EC pills for up to 3 days and others for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Some EC providers may tell the woman to take two doses 12 hours apart, or they may tell her to take both doses at once. Be sure to follow the directions you are given at the clinic or by the pharmacist.

EC pills are for emergencies and should not be used as a regular birth control method. In some states like California, a woman can get them at certain drug stores.

How well do they work?

EC pills are highly effective.

If a woman takes EC pills with only progestin in them (like Plan B), her chances of getting pregnant drop to 1 out of 100 for a one-time use.

If a woman takes EC pills with both progestin and estrogen in them, her chances of getting pregnant drop to 2 out of 100 for a one-time use.

Do EC pills protect against STDs?

No, EC pills do NOT protect against HIV or other STDs.

Do EC pills cause any side effects?

Some women have side effects with EC pills. Most of them go away a day after taking them. Some possible side effects are:

• Upset stomach, stomach ache, nausea or vomiting


• Headache


• Menstrual changes


• Tiredness


• Tender breasts


• Dizziness

If the woman takes Plan B, she may not get any of these side effects.

Do they cause any serious health problems?

EC pills do not cause any serious health problems.

How to make EC pills work best:

A woman who uses EC pills needs to remember these things:

• The sooner she takes the pills, the better her chances of not getting pregnant.


• The EC provider or pharmacist will tell her what type, how many pills to take and how to take them (one dose or two).


• She should call the clinic right away if she vomits within one hour of taking the first dose of pills.

Things to remember:

• EC pills are for emergencies. They are not a regular birth control method.


• EC pills do not work as well as a regular birth control method used the right way.


• The woman needs to make a follow-up appointment at the clinic if she doesn't have a regular period after taking EC pills.

How do you get EC pills?

In California, you can get them for free at certain family planning clinics. Or you can buy them at some drug stores. To find out how to get EC pills, call the EC Hotline (1-888-NOT-2-LATE) or visit www.not-2-late.com.