If you've been raped there is a medication you can take - emergency contraception - that can help prevent pregnancy, if taken promptly. Emergency contraception is simply a higher dose of the same hormones used in common birth control pills. It is most effective if it is taken within 12 hours of the rape. But, it can still work if it is used within three days (72 hours) after the rape, and can even be taken up to five days after the rape. The longer you wait, however, the less likely it is that emergency contraception will keep you from getting pregnant.

If you were already pregnant at the time you were raped, emergency contraception will not affect your pregnancy.

The U. S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of emergency contraception as safe and effective.

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