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Emergency Contraception Resource Center > Expert QA > Can I Use Emergency Contraception as Regular Birth Control?

Can I Use Emergency Contraception as Regular Birth Control?

My boyfriend and I are in a long-distance relationship, so we only have the opportunity to have sex every couple of weeks. Is it okay for us to just use emergency contraception instead of a birth control pill that I have to take every day?

Answer

You should not rely on emergency contraception every time you have unprotected sex as a regular birth control method. Instead, you should be using regular oral contraceptives (regular birth control pills that are taken on a daily basis) or other preventative forms of contraception such as condoms.
 
Using a regular birth control method is usually more effective than relying only on emergency contraception. When used correctly, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) work reasonably well at preventing pregnancy; however, there is still a risk of becoming pregnant.
 
Sometimes, it can be difficult and undesirable to take a pill every day as a regular birth control method. Other options are available besides daily birth control pills, such as a patch, a vaginal ring, injections, or intrauterine devices (IUDs). Talk to your healthcare provider about all of the birth control options available to find a method that may be convenient for you.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Susan Lakey, PharmD, MPH
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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