Emergency contraception helps prevent pregnancy if you’ve had unprotected sex or are not sure if you’re protected from pregnancy. You can use EC to help prevent pregnancy if a condom broke or leaked, no birth control was used, a regular method of birth control wasn’t used correctly or there was a sexual assault. EC should be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
There are two types of EC:
Emergency Contraception Pills
- 2 types (levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate)
- can be used up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex
Copper IUD
- a small soft t-shaped device with a copper wire wrapped around it
- can be put into the uterus up to 7 days after unprotected sex
- can be left in as a regular form of birth control for up to 10 years
EC doesn’t protect you from STIs or HIV and shouldn’t be used as a regular method of birth control.