Where Can I Buy Emergency Contraceptive? 3 Places You Can Go

Do you need an emergency contraceptive fast? These contraceptives are often only effective for the first few days after sexual encounters. If you want to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, you need to find one as soon as possible. To do that, you’ll need to know how to get started.

This guide will help you understand some of the options that are available to you. First, you’ll learn more about what is considered an emergency contraceptive and how they work in the best cases. Finally, you’ll learn about three places you can get them near you.  

Table of contents

What is an Emergency Contraceptive?

An emergency contraceptive is a method of preventing pregnancy that is designed to be used as soon after intercourse as possible. When the directions are followed properly, this method can significantly decrease the possibility of a pregnancy. 

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Emergency contraceptives have been shown to work mostly by preventing or delaying ovulation. During ovulation, the egg is released from the ovary. This exposes the egg to fertilization by any sperm that are nearby. When this process is blocked, the egg never interacts with any of the sperm while they’re still active.

Some emergency contraceptives may still work if ovulation has already happened. Some have been shown to prevent the fertilization of released eggs. Sperm can live about five days. If fertilization can be prevented until this point, pregnancy can be prevented.

Where are Emergency Contraceptives Available?

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You may have to consider several different sources if you need emergency contraceptives. While some of these contraceptives have been tested up to 5 days after intercourse, some of them work best when used within three days. 

This means you have only a limited time to find and purchase the product you’ll be using. The time limit can be a serious problem if these products are not carried in local stores. They may not be carried in stores in many areas. 

Start locally at first, but remember you have options if local stores don’t meet your needs. Here are three places you can find emergency contraceptives:

Pharmacies

Pharmacies are the most likely stores near you to carry a variety of emergency contraceptives. The availability of such contraceptives may vary from state to state.

In stores, you may find one of the following examples of brand name morning-after pills:

• Plan B One-Step
• Take Action
• My Way
• Option 2
• Preventeza
• AfterPill
• My Choice
• Aftera
• EContra   

These are all examples of Levonorgestrel-based contraceptives. Some of them are brand names, and other are popular generics of the same medication. This active ingredient prevents fertilization in several ways that are still being studied. Generic versions of this medication also exist and are often easier to find online.

Aid Organizations

Family planning organizations may be able to provide you with contraceptives free of cost. These are organizations that operate to provide sexual health services to communities or visitors.

A variety of different health services may be offered by organizations in your area, including pregnancy care, health consultations, medical operations, and prescriptions. These organizations are typically supported by donations and may not charge for providing any of this care. 

The Department of Health and Human Services maintains a search service to find family planning clinics in your area. You may be able to use this free tool to find emergency contraceptives within a short distance of your address.

Online Stores

Online stores can be a great option if you need emergency contraceptives. Some of these treatments (such as Plan B One-Step) have been approved for unrestricted sale in the US. It can be ordered online without an ID.

My Way, Next Choice, One Dose, and Take Action are all classified as generic versions of Plan B, so they are also available for unrestricted sale. You can find most of them for sale online. 

Convenience isn’t the only reason people choose to order online:

• You may be able to find brands that aren’t available in your area
• Purchasing contraceptives without interacting with a clerk provides privacy
• You may find better prices

If you choose to order your contraceptives online, you should make sure that you purchase your supply in advance. Retailers have little control over how long it takes parcel services to deliver packages. For the sake of safety, you should keep a supply on hand.

Find the Contraceptives you Need

Now you know where you can buy emergency contraceptives. Remember, you only need this type of contraceptive if you want to avoid pregnancy within the first 3-5 days after sexual contact. These treatments work by preventing ovulation, so you’ll need to choose a different method if you have already waited too long.

You can buy emergency contraceptives locally and online. Try pharmacies first to find out if they are available in your area. If a store cannot help, an aid organization may be available to provide the methods that you need. If you like to plan ahead, you can source your contraceptives online.