Emergency contraceptives are methods that can be used after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
ECPs involve taking a specific amount of birth control pills within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and a second dose 12 hours later. ECPs can be taken right away after unprotected sex, or as much as three days later. ECPs require a prescription and should be used only under the supervision of a licensed clinician. The short, strong burst of hormones in ECPs disrupts the regular hormone patterns that women have which are essential for pregnancy. These disruptions are temporary, lasting only a day or two.