The Consortium for Emergency Contraception 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. It is most effective the sooner it is used, so it is important to seek help quickly. Emergency contraceptive pills are effective if taken within three days of unprotected sex, and may be somewhat effective as many as five days after. (An IUD can 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 40 countries. You can also use regular birth control pills as EC.

You can get detailed information about the number and types of pills (whether labelled 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. (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 use the ARHP's EC Hotline (1-888-NOT-2-LATE) and website.