Making Healthy Sexual Decisions:

Emergency Contraception

Intro	Emergency Contraception
Talking With Your Partner	Sexual Orientation
Getting Advice & What to Ask	Quiz: Are You Ready for Sex?

What happens if I forget my birth control or the condom breaks?

If you forget your birth control or the condom breaks, you do have an option called emergency contraception, also known as the "morning-after pill". Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner you start the medicine after unprotected sex, the more effective the treatment is. Both females and males age 17 or older can buy it at a pharmacy. Call ahead to make sure they carry it and ask about the cost. If you are 16 years old or younger OR you don't want to buy emergency contraception yourself, you may be able to get it from your health care provider, or a family planning clinic such as Planned Parenthood at a low cost.

For more information about EC, you can:

• Call Planned Parenthood at: 1-800-230-PLAN
• Visit The Emergency Contraception website

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Written and reviewed by the CYWH Staff at Boston Children's Hospital

Updated: 11/12/2010