Emergency contraception, also called postcoital contraception, is birth control given shortly after, rather than before, sexual intercourse.

Emergency contraception is used when a regular birth-control method was not used, used improperly (for example, a skipped birth-control pill) or used correctly but failed (for example, a broken condom), and a pregnancy is undesirable.

There are several options to help couples to deal with this emergency: Emergency toll-free hotline phone numbers, (800) 230-PLAN (7526) and or (888) 668-2518 provide information and assistance to couples who cannot reach or do not have a health-care provider and are in need of emergency contraception.

The two emergency approaches used to prevent pregnancy after intercourse include:

• Hormonal Treatments
• Copper IUD Use