{"id":3139,"date":"2025-09-03T16:05:42","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T20:05:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/?page_id=3139"},"modified":"2025-09-11T10:49:26","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T14:49:26","slug":"emergency-contraception-after-sexual-assault-for-boston-university-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/shs\/survivor-support\/the-first-five-days\/emergency-contraception-after-sexual-assault-for-boston-university-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Emergency Contraception After Sexual Assault for Boston University Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have experienced sexual assault, you have the right to access <\/span>emergency contraception (EC)<\/b>, which can prevent an unintended pregnancy. It’s important to know that emergency contraception is available to you quickly, and there are multiple ways to get it in <\/span>Boston<\/b>. This page provides information on your options for <\/span>emergency contraception<\/b> and how to access it as a <\/span>Boston University (BU) student<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Emergency Contraception (EC)?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Emergency contraception<\/b> is a type of birth control that can help prevent pregnancy if you\u2019ve had unprotected sex, if your birth control failed (e.g., condom breaking), or if you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted. It is most effective if taken within 3 days (72 hours) but can\u00a0 be effective <\/span>up to 5 days<\/b> (120 hours) after unprotected sexual contact.<\/span> EC is not an abortion pill and will not be effective if a pregnancy has already occurred.<\/b><\/p>\n

There are two common types of <\/span>emergency contraception<\/b>:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs)<\/b>:<\/span>\n
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    1. Plan B One-Step<\/b> and other <\/span>Levonorgestrel-based pills<\/b> are available over the counter.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. These pills are most effective when taken within <\/span>72 hours<\/b> (3 days) after unprotected sex but may still work up to <\/span>5 days<\/b> after the assault.<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. These pills have a weight limit and work best for folks under 170 pounds.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
    4. Prescription Emergency Contraceptive Pills (Ella):<\/strong>\n
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      1. Ella<\/b> is another type of EC that can be prescribed by a healthcare provider. It is most effective when taken within <\/span>5 days<\/b> of unprotected sex, like Levonorgestrel, but it can work slightly better for people above 170 pounds.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n
      2. Intrauterine Device (IUD):<\/strong>\n
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        1. Paragard, Mirena, and Liletta IUDs are the most effective when used as emergency contraception. They work up to 5 days<\/strong> after unprotected sex.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          <\/h3>\n

          Why Should You Use Emergency Contraception?<\/b><\/h3>\n

          If you\u2019ve been sexually assaulted, <\/span>emergency contraception<\/b> can help prevent pregnancy after an assault, giving you a choice in your reproductive health. EC is safe and effective and does not require long-term commitment.<\/span><\/p>\n