Preven uses both estrogen and progestin. The newer pill, marketed as Plan B, is now available through some Planned Parenthood clinics. It is expected to be available nationwide next year. Nationally public health officials estimate that such emergency contraception could prevent as many as 1.7 million of the nation's roughly 3 million unintended pregnancies each year, including as many as 800,000 abortions. The copper intrauterine device, another birth control device, can also block pregnancy following unprotected sex.
Women have up to five days after the act to have the device inserted.
It must be done by a health professional. Currently neither the local Health Department nor Memphis Planned Parenthood offers this emergency option. Yet women's health advocates say many Americans remain confused or unaware emergency options exist. In a 1997 survey, the Kaiser Family Foundation found 28 percent of women and 23 percent of men knew that emergency contraception was available in the United States. Those surveyed were age 18 through 44.