What Is Emergency Birth Control and How Does It Work?

Perhaps you were in the moment with your partner and you forgot to use protection. To prevent against pregnancy, you still the option of emergency contraception.

“Emergency birth control — which includes different kinds of pills and the copper IUD — helps prevent pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected sex,” says Kecia Gaither, MD, OB-GYN and Director of Perinatal Services at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center.

In this video, Dr. Gaither explains different types of emergency contraception and how they work.

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Written by:

Lauren Smith, MA

Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.

Reviewed by:

Alexandra Schwarz, MD

Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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