The International Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ICEC) does not provide emergency contraceptive services and cannot respond to individuals seeking medical advice about the use of emergency contraception. If you have had unprotected sex, emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy. Some types are most effective the sooner they are used, so it is important to seek help quickly. Emergency contraceptive pills are effective if taken within five days of unprotected sex. An IUD can also be used by some women for emergency contraception up to 5 days after sex.

Emergency contraception is available from Family Planning Associations, Planned Parenthood, or Sexual Health Federations in most countries. It is also available directly from pharmacies in over 60 countries. You can also use regular birth control pills as EC.

You can get detailed information about the number and types of pills (whether labeled as EC or regular birth control pills) that can be used for emergency contraception and a list of what pills are available in your country at www.NOT-2-LATE.com, a comprehensive website operated by the Office of Population Research at Princeton University and the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals. (Information is available in Arabic, English, French, and Spanish.) Search ICEC’s EC Status and Availability database for information on pills labeled for EC use in your country. For information on where to get EC in the United States, please visit Planned Parenthood Federation of America's web page about EC, or visit www.NOT-2-LATE.com.