Morning After Pill Information

Overview

The morning after pill is an emergency form of birth control used for up to five days after unprotected sexual intercourse or after contraceptive failure. This emergency contraception uses high doses of hormones to prevent pregnancy. To be most effective, women should take the medication within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

Availability

A woman 17 or older can purchase the morning after pill from a pharmacy without a prescription. Girls under 17 need a physician's prescription.

Cost

Depending on the medication purchased, the morning after pill costs $10 to $70.

Brands

There are several medications available as a morning after pill. Plan B and Preven are two of the most commonly taken.

Function

The morning after pill prevents pregnancy by using the high doses of hormones to prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg. Other hormones in the pill stop the sperm from reaching an already released egg and prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.

Administration

Females take the morning after pill, depending on the actual medication, in one or two doses.

Side Effects

Side effects from the morning after pill can include changes in the woman's menstrual period, fatigue, headache, pelvic pain, breast tenderness and nausea.