Many couples are careful and use protection when they have sex. However, in some instances birth control can fail or a condom can break. Sometimes accidental unprotected sex happens unintentionally for a variety of reasons. Additionally, some women are victims of rape and do not want a pregnancy to result. For these instances, emergency contraception is a great resource, and another service offered at Planned Parenthood clinics.

Emergency contraception, also known as the Morning After Pill, can help to prevent pregnancy if taken between one and five days after having unprotected sex. It is offered in Planned Parenthood clinics to women 17 years of age and older. If someone younger needs emergency contraception, they must go to their physician or other health center, and will often have to have parental consent. Basically the pill works by hormones which prevent the woman’s ovaries from releasing an egg. Additionally, it helps to thicken the mucus from the cervix which blocks sperm from joining with an egg. The pill also can thin the uterus lining, which could prevent an egg from attaching to the uterus. The sooner the pill is taken after unprotected intercourse, the more effective the pill will be. However, contrary to common belief, this pill does not cause an abortion; it will not terminate an existing pregnancy. It will only help in preventing a pregnancy if taken properly. The pill should not be used as regular birth control; there are many options for contraception available through Planned Parenthood clinics. The cost of emergency contraception pills can vary, usually ranging from $10-$70. Some clinics also provide certain intrauterine devices, which are believed to block pregnancy from occurring if placed in the woman within five days of unprotected sex. Some side effects are present in women who have taken the emergency contraception pill, including nausea and vomiting, cramping, and irregular bleeding.