Birth Control

Choosing the Method That's Right for You	Other Types of Emergency Contraception
Emergency Contraception Pills	Helpful Toll Free Numbers

Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health.

Choosing The Method That's Right For You

Birth Control - Choosing the Method That's Right For You (English PDF 2MB)

Control Natal - Selección del Método Adecuado Para Usted (Spanish 1.7MB PDF)

This brochure provides information about:

14 commonly used birth control methods
How each method works
When to use it
How to get it
Advantages and disadvantages
Known side effects.

A quick reference guide shows STD/HIV protection and effectiveness of each method. The "Make a Change for Yourself" section provides women's health messages and resources for more information.

The information in this brochure is for adolescent and adult women and men. It is available in English and Spanish.

You can download the brochure from this website. You can get one or two copies of the brochure by calling your local health department or family planning clinic. Ask the person who answers the phone if they use the brochure and if they will send a copy to you. Most health departments and clinics use the brochure.

The birth control methods brochure can also be downloaded as a low or high resolution PDF file, through the Washington State Department of Health's Health Education Resource Exchange website.

Emergency Contraception Pills

Find a Pharmacy Provider for Emergency Contraception:

Go to the Emergency Contraception Website
Telephone 1-800-NOT-2-LATE or 1-800-668-5283
En Español Sitio Web sobre Anticoncepción de Emergencia
En Français Le Site Web Sur la Contraception D'urgence
Arabic - Information on Emergency Contraception in Arabic

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. The sooner they are used after unprotected sex, the better they will work. They can be used up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex.

Emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy the same way birth control pills do. Combined estrogen/progestin pills reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 75%, and progestin-only pills reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89%.

Emergency contraceptive pills do NOT:

Protect against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS
Interrupt an established pregnancy or harm a developing fetus
Affect a woman's ability to become pregnant in the future

Emergency contraceptive pills are available at most pharmacies in Washington State without a prescription and are available at clinics, doctor offices, or online.

Use the link above to find emergency contraceptive pill providers in your area. Women can get emergency contraceptive pills to have on hand in case they need them.

If you have been sexually assaulted, information and emergency contraceptive pills are available through hospital emergency rooms in Washington State. It is our goal to increase availability of emergency contraception pills throughout the state in an effort to reduce unintended pregnancies.

Plan B

Plan B Information (Princeton University website)

Other Types of Emergency Contraception

Copper-T IUD

The Copper-T is an intrauterine device (IUD) that some women use for regular birth control, but it can also be used up to five days after sex to prevent pregnancy. As emergency contraception, the Copper-T IUD is even more effective than emergency contraceptive pills because it reduces your risk of getting pregnant by more than 99%. Another advantage to the Copper-T IUD is that you can keep it in place to prevent pregnancy for up to ten years.

Intrauterine devices are not right for everyone and must be inserted by a trained healthcare provider.

Ask your medical provider which emergency contraceptive method is best for you.

Helpful Toll Free Numbers

WA State Family Planning Hotline	1-800-770-4334
WithinReach	1-800-322-2588
Consumer Assistance Line	1-800-525-0127 (statewide only)
WA State HIV/AIDS message line	1-800-272-AIDS (2437)