Emergency Contraception (EC)- Also known as Plan B or the “morning after” pill, EC is a large dose of oral contraception.  It is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. The hormones in EC prevent a woman from ovulating and thicken her cervical mucus. The mucus blocks sperm, preventing fertilization.  It should be taken as soon as possible, but is effective if taken within five days (120 hours).  Emergency contraception is birth control, not abortion.  Only 1 out of 100 women will become pregnant after taking EC within 72 hours. 

Plan B is available over the counter.  You can ask for it at your local pharmacy.  If they do not stock it, demand a referral to another pharmacy that does. 

In 2006, the FDA approved emergency contraception to be sold over the counter to individuals 18 and older.  Women 17 and under are still required to obtain a prescription from a physician.  While 80% of Maryland pharmacies stock emergency contraception, many pharmacies refuse to stock or, more likely, stock on an inconsistent basis. Furthermore, there is a growing problem of pharmacists refusing to fill women’s legally prescribed birth control prescriptions or disperse emergency contraception. At this time, Maryland does not have legislation in place to ensure that pharmacists always dispense these important and lawful medications. 

The decrease in abortion has, in part, been attributed to wider access to EC. EC is a back-up form of contraception and should not be used as routine birth control.  Emergency contraception does not prevent against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

For more information or to find a provider in your area, call the emergency contraception hotline at (888) NOT-2-Late or visit www.go2planb.com.