Polk County Health Department, Iowa’s largest county health department, is now offering free EC (in addition to condoms and personal lubricant) to anyone who visits the agency in Des Moines. The legal landscape around reproductive health has dramatically shifted in Iowa, so FPCI has been working to make family planning resources more accessible to residents. That includes partnering with businesses and other entities to provide birth control at no cost.
“There are a number of different businesses where free emergency contraception is available throughout the metro area,” said Allison Smith, executive director of FPCI. “Some of them don’t necessarily want to be publicized, but it’s really important for folks to have access to that resource, and especially at lower cost or no cost.”
You can also request a reproductive health kit be mailed to your Iowa address, free of charge, using our online request form.
Read more from the Des Moines Register, KCCI, Axios, Little Village Magazine, and Business Record A.M. Newsletter.
What is EC?
EC (emergency contraception) reduces the chance of pregnancy:
- after unprotected vaginal intercourse;
- when a contraceptive method is suspected of failing (e.g., condom breaks or slips off, two or more missed birth control pills); or
- following sexual assault.
EC prevents pregnancy before it occurs. EC is used within 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
EC will not end an existing pregnancy. EC does not work if pregnancy has already occurred. EC is not the abortion pill, so EC is not impacted by restrictions on abortion.
The sooner EC pills are taken, the more likely they are to work. EC pills are not as effective in preventing pregnancy as a birth control method used consistently and correctly. EC pills may be prescribed to have on hand before they are needed.
| Types of Emergency Contraception | Brands | Timing of Use after Sex | Reduces Pregnancy Risk By | Requires |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IUD | Liletta, Mirena, Paragard | 5 days | 99% | Healthcare provider to insert |
| Ulipristal acetate (UPA) | ella® | 5 days | 85% (may be less effective if over 194 lbs) | Prescription |
| Levonorgestrel | Plan B, One Step™, My Way™, Next Choice™, Julie, etc. | 3-5 days (less effective after 3 days) | 81-90% (may be less effective if over 165 lbs) | No prescription (over-the-counter) |
| Combined hormonal pills | Many | 5 days | 74% | Prescription |