Birth Control and Emergency Contraception

Choosing the Birth Control Method That’s Right for You

Birth control, or contraception, is the use of methods, medications, or devices to prevent pregnancy from occurring. Resources from Bedsider can help you learn more about the different types of birth control methods.

Hormonal birth control options include:

  • Oral contraceptives “the pill”, available through prescription. Taken daily and varies by brand.
    • Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill.
  • Patch, hormones delivered through the skin.
    • Put a new patch on weekly for the first 3 weeks, don’t wear a patch for the 4th week. Start the process over.
  • Ring, inserted into the vagina.
    • The length of time the ring remains inserted in the vagina depends on the brand, between 3 and 5 weeks.
  • Depo-injection requires a new injection every 3 months.
  • Implant, placed in the upper arm during an office procedure appointment, not surgery.
    • The implant can last up to 5 years.
  • Intrauterine device, IUD, placed in the uterus during an office procedure appointment, not surgery.
    • It can last 3-8 years, depending on brand.
    • Talk to your provider about pain management options during this procedure.

Get more information about hormonal birth control at Bedsider, CTCSRH Extended LARC, and Reproductive Health Access Project.

Non-hormonal birth control options include:

  • Barrier methods
    • Condoms, internal and external, block semen from entering the uterus. Sold at grocery and drug stores.
    • Diaphragm and cervical cap, fitted by a provider and inserted into the vagina before starting sex. Blocks semen from entering uterus.
      • Caya diaphragm needs a prescription but is made to fit most vaginas, no need for pelvic exam/fitting.
  • Vaginal gel is inserted into the vagina with an applicator when you need it. It is not a spermicide; it changes the pH level of the vagina. You need a prescription for this method.
  • Spermicide gel or foam kills sperm. Sold at grocery and drug stores.
  • Copper IUD, known as Paragard, inserted into the uterus during an office procedure by a trained provider and effective for 10-12 years.

Fertility awareness-based methods (FABMs) include:

  • Cycle beads, color coded beads to help identify and track fertile and non-fertile days in a person’s menstrual cycle.
  • Cell phone or computer applications, track days in a person’s menstrual cycle, or changes in cervical fluid and body temperature, to identify fertile and non-fertile days.

Get more information about non-hormonal birth control at Bedsider, and Reproductive Health Access Project.

Emergency Contraception, Dealing With the Unexpected

Emergency contraception is the use of medication or a device that can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex has occurred. It can prevent pregnancy before it starts.

  • All 4 types of emergency contraception work up for 5 days after unprotected sex.
  • You can get emergency contraceptive pills to have on hand in case you need them later.

Types of Emergency Contraception

There are 4 types of safe and effective emergency contraception listed below by effectiveness.

  1. Paragard, copper IUD, is non-hormonal. Some people use it for regular birth control.
    • Must be inserted by a trained healthcare provider during a procedure appointment, not surgery. Discuss pain management options for this procedure.
    • Can prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after sex, and ongoing for 10-12 years after insertion.
    • Is the most effective emergency contraception available.
    • Remains highly effective regardless of your weight, unlike some other methods.
    • While it can be kept in place for 10-12 years, you can have it removed at any time by your healthcare provider. Your ability to become pregnant returns as soon as it is removed.
  2. Ella or ella One is a pill that blocks the hormones your body needs to become pregnant.
    • Available by prescriptions.
    • Can prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after sex.
    • Works as well on day 5 as it does on day 1.
    • May be less effective if you weigh 195 pounds or more.
    • If you need emergency contraception because you made a mistake with your hormonal birth control (like the pill, a patch, a ring or a shot), ella might not work as well because the hormones in your birth control methods can affect how well ella works. See Plan B or generics information below.
  3. Emergency contraceptives, “the morning after pill”, uses the hormone levonorgestrel. Other drug names include Plan B One Step, Next Choice One dose, Econtra EZ, My Way, and other generics.
    • Available at most pharmacies, usually in the family planning aisle, without a prescription and age restrictions.
    • Available online and at clinics and doctor’s offices. Can prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after sex.
    • Effectiveness decreases each day, not as effective on day 5 as it is on day 1.
    • May be less effective if you weigh 155 pounds or more.

Get more information about emergency contraception, at Bedsider.

  1. The Yuzpe method is a combination of oral contraceptive pills taken in a specific way as emergency contraception.
    • Works by using a specific combination of hormonal birth control pills that include both estrogen and progestin.
    • Not as effective as other methods of emergency contraception.
    • Works best up to 3 days after sex, much less effective after 3 days.
    • If you are able, talk to your health care provider about this method.

Planned Parenthood also has a tool to help you decide on an emergency contraception method that’s right for you.

Fast Facts About Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception:

  • Is different than abortion pills (mifepristone or misoprostol).
  • Does not prevent a pregnancy that has already started.
  • Does not harm a developing fetus.
  • Cannot affect your ability to become pregnant in the future.
  • Cannot protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Where To Get Emergency Contraception

  • Emergency contraception is widely available. Plan B and the other brands described in the types of emergency contraception section above are available without a prescription at pharmacies and online.
  • Other types of emergency contraceptive pills need a prescription. You can get a prescription at any of the clinics in the Washington Sexual and Reproductive Health Network or from many other health care providers.
  • The paraguard IUD is available from health care providers with the appropriate training, including those at clinics in the Washington Sexual and Reproductive Health Network.
  • If you have been sexually assaulted, information and emergency contraceptive pills are available at all hospital emergency rooms in Washington. These are made available as required by WAC 246-320-286.

Worried About Cost?

All insurance plans offered through the Washington State Health Benefit Exchange must cover contraceptives at no cost to you. This includes emergency contraceptives.

  • Understand your coverage: Find out if you have coverage through a plan listed on the Health Benefit Exchange. Your insurance card should have a customer service phone number on the back side of the card, and they can help you understand coverage.
  • Access to contraception: Apple Health (Medicaid) and Washington’s Family Planning Only program also cover contraceptives. Both programs also cover family planning services. If you are not eligible for Apple Health, you might be eligible for Family Planning Only. There is no citizenship requirement for Family Planning Only.
  • Apply for Apple Health: You can apply for Apple Health or for a plan through the Health Benefit Exchange. If you don’t qualify for Apple Health, the application will check if you are able to get help paying for your Health Benefit Exchange plan.
  • Find a service provider: You can search for services in your area through the Washington Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic Finder. These clinics offer birth control and related services, including emergency contraception, on a sliding fee scale or free for those who qualify.

Remember Birth Control in Natural Disasters and Other Emergencies

It is important to have birth control available to prevent pregnancy. Consider keeping emergency contraception pills and condoms in your emergency preparedness kit since you never know when a natural disaster or other emergency might happen. If you are unable to go to a provider during an emergency, IUDs and implants can be used beyond their recommended replacement period (English only).

Department of Health Resource Links

Other Sexual Assault Resource Links

Contact

Sexual and Reproductive Health Program
SRHP@doh.wa.gov