Yes, everyone including teens should have accurate information about emergency contraception so they can make an informed decision. Unfortunately there are myths or untruths about EC; however, you can trust that the information below is accurate. Keep in mind though, that EC is a personal choice.
- Emergency contraception (EC) is a safe treatment to help prevent pregnancy in adolescent girls and adult women who have had unprotected sex.
- EC will NOT cause an abortion. It does not work even after ovulation.
- Emergency contraception does not guarantee that pregnancy is prevented. The best way to prevent pregnancy is to use a regular birth control method, such as condoms or birth control pills, or to not have sexual intercourse.
- Plan B One-Step® and Next Choice® (emergency contraception) is available to women 17 and older at pharmacies in the United States without a prescription. Ella™ is available with a prescription.
- If you are 16 or younger, you will need a prescription for Plan B One-Step® or Ella™.
- No matter your age, talk with your health care provider about your options and decide if you want a prescription just in case you need it.
Our health guides are developed through a systematic, rigorous process to ensure accuracy, reliability, and trustworthiness. Written and reviewed by experienced healthcare clinicians from Boston Children's Hospital, a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital and consistently ranked as a top hospital by Newsweek and U.S. News & World Report, these guides combine clinical expertise, specialized knowledge, and evidence-based medicine. We also incorporate research and best practices from authoritative sources such as the CDC, NIH, PubMed, top medical journals, and UpToDate.com. Clinical specialists and subject matter experts review and edit each guide, reinforcing our commitment to high-quality, factual, scientifically accurate health information for young people.