For the Press

Emergency Contraception (EC) has sometimes been called the “best-kept” secret in women’s health. Widespread knowledge and use of this safe and effective back-up birth control method could prevent as many as half of the 3 million unintended pregnancies each year in the U.S.

Yet many American women have still never heard of EC. Others are confused about EC or don’t realize it is available over-the-counter in the U.S. – and that they can keep it on hand, just in case.

To help remedy this, a coalition of organizations led by the National Institute for Reproductive Health has joined together to launch an ongoing campaign to educate the public about EC.

The ABCs of EC:

  • EC or the "morning after pill" is a safe and effective way to help prevent pregnancy AFTER unprotected sex or birth control failure.
  • EC is available without a prescription for women 18 years and older and can be obtained at the pharmacy. Women younger than 18 will need a prescription from their doctor or other heath care provider.
  • EC is a higher dosage of the same hormones found in birth control pills.
  • EC, when used within 5 days of unprotected sex, can significantly reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.
  • EC is NOT the same thing as Mifeprex or RU-486. EC will not terminate an existing pregnancy. EC will not work if a woman is already pregnant.
  • Click here for or more information

EC: Still not a Household Word:

  • More than 60% of voters say they do not know about EC or any product that has been proven effective in preventing pregnancy when used within days after unprotected sex.
  • Only a handful of women (6%) report ever using EC, largely because the public knows so little about back-up birth control.
  • Researchers estimate that, even though few women know about EC, use of this back-up birth control option still prevented more than 50,000 abortions in 2000 alone.
  • Nearly three-quarters of voters from all partisan backgrounds support legislation that would educate the public about EC.

Past Press Releases and Statements:

  • 3/8/07: Women’s Health Advocates to Teens: It’s Time to Back Up Your Birth Control with Emergency Contraception
  • 11/8/06: Plan B Emergency Contraception to Hit Pharmacy Shelves by Mid-November 
  • 3/16/06: Women's Health Advocates Plan To Test Wal-Mart's Pledge To Stock Plan B

For more information, call 212-343-2031 or email Amy Boldosser (aboldosser@nirhealth.org) or Rupali Sharma (rsharma@nirhealth.org)



The Back Up Your Birth Control Campaign aims to increase awareness of and improve access to emergency contraception. This campaign is coordinated by the National Institute for Reproductive Health and NARAL Pro-Choice New York.