General Information

• Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) are very effective in preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraceptive pills can reduce the pregnancy rate by 75-88%. They are also sometimes called "morning after pills". But you do not have to take them just in the morning.
• The sooner the pills are started, the better they work. The pills must be started within 120 hours (5 days) and ideally within 72 hours (3 days) of the unprotected sexual intercourse.
• Emergency contraceptive pills are less effective than ongoing contraception in preventing pregnancy.
• Emergency contraceptive pills do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
• The typical cost of ECP is $20-30.