Emergency Contraception Information

    Detailed information on emergency birth control and pregnancy prevention

    Updated at March 22nd, 2024

    Disclaimer [ENGLISH]

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    DisclaimerThis material is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, nor does it replace the advice or counsel of a doctor or health care professional. Reference to a specific commercial product or service does not imply endorsement or recommendation of that product or service by CPCMG.

     

    Emergency Contraception Overview

    Information for teens in San Diego, from local pediatricians

    Are you a teen who recently had sex without a condom or consistent birth control? Or did the condom break? Or were you pressured or forced into having sex when you did not want to, or were not expecting it?

    You are not alone. You still have options if you don’t want to get pregnant.

    There are three options to prevent pregnancy after having sex without birth control:

    1. You can take a pill called Plan B or a generic version (levonorgestrel)
    2. You can take a pill called Ella or a generic version (ulipristal)
    3. A healthcare provider can insert an IUD (intrauterine device) in your uterus
     
     

    Types of Emergency Contraception

     

    Note: consider emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex anytime in the last 5 days AND you have:

    • Missed your pills for >48 hours
    • Had your patch removed for >48 hours
    • Had your ring out for >48 hours
    • If you are >48 hours late starting your pill, patch, or ring after your hormone-free week.  
    • If the condom broke or you did not use a condom, and you are not using another form of birth control
    • If you take Depo-Provera® and it has been >14 weeks since your last shot

    Plan B (levonorgestrel)®

    A few tips:

    • Take Plan B® as soon as possible. It is more effective the sooner it is taken.
    • Plan B® is not effective if you are already pregnant and does not cause an abortion.
    • Taking Plan B® will not affect your future fertility.
    • Every kind of emergency contraception can cause your next period to be different from how it usually is (different people might have a period that comes sooner or later, or is heavier or lighter, or have spotting).
    • If you don’t get your period within a month, take a pregnancy test.

    Ella (Ulipristal)®


    A few tips:

    • Take Ella® as soon as possible. It is more effective the sooner it is taken.
    • Ella® is not effective if you are already pregnant and does not cause an abortion.
    • Taking Ella® will not affect your future fertility.
    • Every kind of emergency contraception can cause your next period to be different from how it usually is (different people might have a period that comes sooner or later, or is heavier or lighter, or have spotting).
    • If you don’t get your period within a month, take a pregnancy test.

     
    IUDs (Intrauterine Devices)

    A few tips:

    • IUDs are not effective if you are already pregnant and do not cause an abortion.
    • Kyleena® IUD is not effective as emergency contraception– only Mirena®, Liletta®, and Paragard® IUDs are.
    • Having an IUD placed will not affect your future fertility.
    • Every kind of emergency contraception can cause your next period to be different from how it usually is (different people might have a period that comes sooner or later, or is heavier or lighter, or have spotting).
    • If you don’t get your period within a month, take a pregnancy test.
     
     

    Where can I get care?

    You can buy Plan B® without a prescription, and it’s available in most pharmacies. For Ella® or an IUD, you will need a prescription. You can reach out to your primary care doctor or health care provider, or to the resources below:

    San Diego Resources

    Online Resources

    Financial Resources

     
     

    Your rights in California

    Even if you’re under 18, in California you have the right to:

    • Get sexual healthcare– including emergency contraception, birth control, testing and treatment for HIV,, testing and treatment for STIs (sexually transmitted infections), abortion, and pregnancy care– without needing permission from your parents, and without the healthcare provider notifying your parents.
    • Say yes or no to any kind of birth control or emergency contraception.
    • Anyone of any gender can buy Plan B® without needing to show ID.
    • If a pharmacist doesn’t feel comfortable filling your prescription for emergency contraception or birth control themselves, by law they are required to refer you to another pharmacist or another pharmacy which will fill the prescription. It is your right to still be able to get the medication you need.

    Note: If your healthcare provider is concerned that you or another minor are in danger, by law your healthcare provider may not be allowed to keep this information private. They may need to reach out and get you help.

     
     

    If unprotected sex was unexpected or unwanted…

    It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything to deserve this.

    It’s okay and normal to have complicated feelings about what happened.

    You are not alone. There are lots of people who want to support you and help you.

    Seek medical care as soon as possible. A medical provider can test and treat you for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and may be able to give you medications to prevent HIV (if it’s within 72 hours (3 days) ), as well as giving emergency contraception if it is within less than 120 hours (5 days).

    Many resources are available that you may find helpful:

     
     

     For more information on reproductive healthcare:

     
     

    Reviewed by: CPCMG Adoescent Committee, JBS M.D., JC M.D., AR D.O.  | 12/2023