{"id":5040,"date":"2022-01-07T20:45:34","date_gmt":"2022-01-08T02:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/?p=5040"},"modified":"2022-07-05T11:44:03","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T17:44:03","slug":"emergency-contraception","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/americanpregnancy.org\/unplanned-pregnancy\/birth-control-pills-patches-and-devices\/emergency-contraception\/","title":{"rendered":"Emergency Contraception: Morning After Pill"},"content":{"rendered":"

Often referred to as the “morning-after pill,” it is a high dose of certain types of the birth control\u00a0pill<\/a>, made up of estrogen and progestin or progestin only. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, emergency contraception does not cause an abortion, it prevents pregnancy from occurring. Emergency contraception must be used soon after unprotected sex.<\/p>\n

In 2013, the FDA lifted the age limit on emergency contraception, which can now be obtained over-the-counter without a prescription. This form of birth control is sometimes used in the event of unprotected sexual intercourse, in cases of sexual assault and rape, or if another type of birth control has failed.<\/p>\n

How Does the Morning After Pill Work?<\/h3>\n

Emergency contraception works through high doses of the synthetic\u00a0hormones of estrogen and progestin, or progestin only, which help regulate\u00a0ovulation<\/a> and fertility similar to the way in which the natural forms of these hormones work. It may prevent pregnancy through one or more of these three methods:<\/strong><\/p>\n