Medication abortion (also called abortion pills) and emergency contraception (also called Plan B or the morning-after pill) are two very different medicines. Here’s the rundown:
Abortion pills (also called medication abortion):
What do abortion pills do and how do they work?
The abortion pill ends an early pregnancy. A medication abortion actually involves two pills: mifepristone and misoprostol. Mifepristone stops the pregnancy from growing; misoprostol causes cramping and bleeding that empties your uterus.
When can I take abortion pills?
You can use abortion pills up to 77 days (11 weeks) after the first day of your last period.
Where can I get abortion pills?
Depending on what state you live in, you can get abortion pills from a doctor, nurse, or other abortion provider, including some Planned Parenthood health centers. In some states, you can do a video visit and have the abortion pills mailed to you.
If you think you need abortion pills, talk with an abortion provider as soon as you can. You can find an abortion provider at abortionfinder.org.
Emergency contraception (also called Plan B and the morning-after pill):
What does emergency contraception do, and how does it work?
Emergency contraception is a type of birth control that prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex.
It takes a couple of days for a sperm and egg to meet and start the pregnancy process. Emergency contraception pills temporarily stop your ovary from releasing an egg, so sperm can’t meet the egg. They won’t work if you’ve already started ovulating — that’s why it’s important to act fast and take it as soon as possible.
When can I take emergency contraception?
The sooner you take it, the better. You can use certain types of emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but most types work best when you take it within 3 days after unprotected sex.
Where can I get emergency contraception?
You can get Plan B and other over-the-counter emergency contraception pills without a prescription at most drugstores, pharmacies, superstores, or online. You can get a prescription for ella from your nurse or doctor, or online with rush shipping.
You can get either type of pill from your nearest Planned Parenthood health center.
Certain types of emergency contraception may work better than others depending on different factors, like your weight. Our quiz can help you find out what type of emergency contraception is best for you, depending on your personal situation.
