Reproductive Care Kits

Emergency contraception pills (also known as the morning after pill) can be used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or if your birth control method fails, such as a condom breaking/slipping off or forgetting to take a birth control pill. Some common brand names of emergency contraception (EC) are Plan B, Econtra, My Way, Julie, and Preventeza.

EC that you can buy at a pharmacy or drug store that does not require a prescription is called “over-the-counter” or OTC EC. Brands like Plan B, Econtra, My Way, Julie, and Preventeza are available without a prescription. Ella, another brand that is effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, is only available via prescription.

Intrauterine devices or IUDs can also be used as EC if you are able to have one placed by a clinical provider within 5 days of unprotected sex.

For all EC pills, the sooner you take them after unprotected sex, the more effective they are. EC should be taken within three days (72 hours) of unprotected sex.

Your weight may impact how effective EC is for you. If you weigh more than 165 pounds, over-the-counter EC pills like the one in your kit may be less effective. Ella, which is prescription-only emergency contraception, is effective up to a weight of 195 pounds. IUDs are the only emergency contraception options where effectiveness is not impacted by your weight. That said, taking EC will still lower your chances of pregnancy, just not quite as much as it would for someone who weighs less.

If you have questions about what EC is right for you, you should consult with a medical provider.

No, EC cannot cause an abortion. EC works to prevent pregnancy before it occurs. If you are already pregnant, EC will not work. And if you take EC before you know you’re pregnant, it won’t hurt you or the pregnancy.

No, studies have confirmed that taking two pills will not change the effectiveness of the morning-after pill, even for those with higher BMIs.

No. There is no age requirement to get over-the-counter EC. People of any age or gender can purchase over-the-counter EC pills wherever they are available.

Examples of drugs or herbal products that could decrease the effectiveness of emergency contraception pills include barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John’s wort, topiramate, and certain HIV/AIDS medications. Contact your healthcare professional before taking EC if you have any concerns or are taking any of these medications.

EC is safe and side effects are not common, However, you may get a headache, upset stomach, feel light-headed or dizzy, or have tender breasts for a short while after taking EC.

If you throw up within two hours of taking the pill, it will not work and you’ll need to take it again. Additionally, your next period may be different from what you are used to. It may come earlier or later, and be heavier, lighter, or more spotty.

Emergency contraception pills (also known as the morning after pill) can be used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or if your birth control method fails, such as a condom breaking/slipping off or forgetting to take a birth control pill. Some common brand names of emergency contraception (EC) are Plan B, Econtra, My Way, Julie, and Preventeza.

EC that you can buy at a pharmacy or drug store that does not require a prescription is called “over-the-counter” or OTC EC. Brands like Plan B, Econtra, My Way, Julie, and Preventeza are available without a prescription. Ella, another brand that is effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, is only available via prescription.

Intrauterine devices or IUDs can also be used as EC if you are able to have one placed by a clinical provider within 5 days of unprotected sex.

For all EC pills, the sooner you take them after unprotected sex, the more effective they are. EC should be taken within three days (72 hours) of unprotected sex.

Your weight may impact how effective EC is for you. If you weigh more than 165 pounds, over-the-counter EC pills like the one in your kit may be less effective. Ella, which is prescription-only emergency contraception, is effective up to a weight of 195 pounds. IUDs are the only emergency contraception options where effectiveness is not impacted by your weight. That said, taking EC will still lower your chances of pregnancy, just not quite as much as it would for someone who weighs less.

If you have questions about what EC is right for you, you should consult with a medical provider.

No, EC cannot cause an abortion. EC works to prevent pregnancy before it occurs. If you are already pregnant, EC will not work. And if you take EC before you know you’re pregnant, it won’t hurt you or the pregnancy.

No, studies have confirmed that taking two pills will not change the effectiveness of the morning-after pill, even for those with higher BMIs.

No. There is no age requirement to get over-the-counter EC. People of any age or gender can purchase over-the-counter EC pills wherever they are available.

Examples of drugs or herbal products that could decrease the effectiveness of emergency contraception pills include barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John’s wort, topiramate, and certain HIV/AIDS medications. Contact your healthcare professional before taking EC if you have any concerns or are taking any of these medications.

EC is safe and side effects are not common, However, you may get a headache, upset stomach, feel light-headed or dizzy, or have tender breasts for a short while after taking EC.

If you throw up within two hours of taking the pill, it will not work and you’ll need to take it again. Additionally, your next period may be different from what you are used to. It may come earlier or later, and be heavier, lighter, or more spotty.

Emergency contraception pills (also known as the morning after pill) can be used to prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or if your birth control method fails, such as a condom breaking/slipping off or forgetting to take a birth control pill. Some common brand names of emergency contraception (EC) are Plan B, Econtra, My Way, Julie, and Preventeza.

EC that you can buy at a pharmacy or drug store that does not require a prescription is called “over-the-counter” or OTC EC. Brands like Plan B, Econtra, My Way, Julie, and Preventeza are available without a prescription. Ella, another brand that is effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, is only available via prescription.

Intrauterine devices or IUDs can also be used as EC if you are able to have one placed by a clinical provider within 5 days of unprotected sex.

For all EC pills, the sooner you take them after unprotected sex, the more effective they are. EC should be taken within three days (72 hours) of unprotected sex.

Your weight may impact how effective EC is for you. If you weigh more than 165 pounds, over-the-counter EC pills like the one in your kit may be less effective. Ella, which is prescription-only emergency contraception, is effective up to a weight of 195 pounds. IUDs are the only emergency contraception options where effectiveness is not impacted by your weight. That said, taking EC will still lower your chances of pregnancy, just not quite as much as it would for someone who weighs less.

If you have questions about what EC is right for you, you should consult with a medical provider.

No, EC cannot cause an abortion. EC works to prevent pregnancy before it occurs. If you are already pregnant, EC will not work. And if you take EC before you know you’re pregnant, it won’t hurt you or the pregnancy.

No, studies have confirmed that taking two pills will not change the effectiveness of the morning-after pill, even for those with higher BMIs.

No. There is no age requirement to get over-the-counter EC. People of any age or gender can purchase over-the-counter EC pills wherever they are available.

Examples of drugs or herbal products that could decrease the effectiveness of emergency contraception pills include barbiturates, bosentan, carbamazepine, felbamate, griseofulvin, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, rifampin, St. John’s wort, topiramate, and certain HIV/AIDS medications. Contact your healthcare professional before taking EC if you have any concerns or are taking any of these medications.

EC is safe and side effects are not common, However, you may get a headache, upset stomach, feel light-headed or dizzy, or have tender breasts for a short while after taking EC.

If you throw up within two hours of taking the pill, it will not work and you’ll need to take it again. Additionally, your next period may be different from what you are used to. It may come earlier or later, and be heavier, lighter, or more spotty.