emergency contraception

American  

[ih-mur-juhn-see kon-truh-sep-shuhn] / ɪˈmɜr dʒən si ˌkɒn trəˈsɛp ʃən /

noun

1. a method for preventing pregnancy taken or used after sexual intercourse has already occurred, usually because other methods were unavailable or rendered ineffective.

   If you've had unprotected sex recently and have missed pills from the first seven days of your pack, you may need emergency contraception.

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Etymology

Origin of emergency contraception

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Campaigners have long argued that requiring a prescription deterred younger women and rape victims from accessing emergency contraception.

From BBC • Oct. 20, 2025

The vast majority of the prescriptions filled in the country are for generic drugs, from penicillin to blood thinners to emergency contraception, and many of those come from overseas, including India and China.

From Salon • Jun. 18, 2025

In 2015, Badeaux refused to dispense Plan B, a different type of emergency contraception, to a woman, resulting in a complaint to the pharmacy’s owner, the judges wrote.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 19, 2024

Mary Ziegler, a leading historian of contraception and abortion policies who was not involved in the survey, said the findings suggest emergency contraception has become more popular than barrier methods for some women.

From Washington Times • Dec. 14, 2023

We hope these findings will lead to further research and ultimately changes in clinical guidelines to enable women around the world to access more effective emergency contraception.'

From Science Daily • Oct. 20, 2023