Emergency Contraception Print

BREAKING:  In April 2013, a federal judge ruled that the age and identification restrictions around EC must be removed and the products moved onto pharmacy shelves.  Read Advocates for Youth's statement on the landmark decision.

Although current use of regular contraception prevents as many as 1.65 million teen pregnancies in the United States each year, as many as 750,000 to 850,000 teens still experience a pregnancy and nearly 80 percent are unintended.

Emergency contraception (EC), also known as the morning after pill or Plan B®, could avert about 50 percent of pregnancies and consequent abortions among U.S. teens each year. Unfortunately, less than one-fourth of teenage women know that taking EC after unprotected intercourse can prevent pregnancy. Once informed about EC, most teens say they would use it in an emergency.

If you are conducting research on adolescents and emergency contraception, visit Advocates for Youth's Research Guide on EC.

Please note: 

In the United States, emergency contraception (morning after pills) are now available without a prescription for women and men 17 and older. Just ask your pharmacist for Plan B One-Step.
 
The newly approved Plan B One-Step is just one pill to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Emergency contraception is most effective when taken within three days (72 hours) of unprotected sex; it may still work up to five days (120 hours) after sex.
 
The original Plan B (which is a two pill dosage) is gradually being replaced in pharmacies by Plan B One-Step. Plan B is still available over-the counter to women and men aged 18 and older, and by prescription to younger women. If you are 17 years old, call your pharmacy first to see if they carry the new pill, Plan B One-Step, which is available over-the-counter to women and men aged 17 and older.

General Facts