According to Planned Parenthood, birth control lets you prevent and plan the timing of pregnancy. Birth control pills are a safe, affordable, and effective if you always take them on time, way to prevent pregnancy. They've been around for more than 50 years, and millions of people have used them safely.

Forgetting pills, losing the pack, not refilling your prescription on time — these are the main reasons why people who take the pill get pregnant. It's reported that when used perfectly, the pill is 99% effective. But when it comes to real life, the pill is about 91% effective, so in reality, 9 out of 100 pill users get pregnant each year.

For that reason, starting the morning after Valentine’s Day, couples across Washington, D.C. and Atlanta can find relief knowing that their local carafem health center is offering emergency contraception (Plan-B) for just $10 in the first 72 hours following V-Day (Thursday, February 15 through Saturday, February 17).

Emergency Contraception is most effective the sooner you take it. That's why at carafem, there’s no exam or appointment needed to obtain EC. “Valentine’s Day is known as the holiday of love and romance. The romantic notion of getting swept away by the moment can lead to sex and intimacy, sometimes without full protection from pregnancy. Accidents happen-” says Melissa Grant, Chief Operations Officer at carafem, “If a condom breaks, a birth control pill is forgotten, or a birth control method simply didn’t work out as planned, it doesn’t necessarily mean that those involved are ready for a pregnancy.”

Remember that while the pill is really good at preventing pregnancy, it won’t protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Use a condom every time you have vaginal sex in order to be protected against STDs. Planned Parenthood informed that the main thing that makes the pill not work is not taking it every day, but other things, like having vomiting or diarrhea for more than 48 hours may reduce how well the pill prevents pregnancy.

  • 3 Ways to Remember to Take Your Pill
  1. Set an alarm on your phone.
  2. Check it off on your calendar.
  3. Sign up for text or email reminders.
  • Avoid using combination pills if you’ve had any of these health problems:
  1. Blood clots, an inherited blood-clotting disorder, or vein inflammation.
  2. Breast cancer.
  3. Heart attack, stroke, angina, or other serious heart problems.
  4. Migraine headaches with aura (seeing flashing, zigzag lines).
  5. Uncontrolled high blood pressure.
  6. Very bad diabetes or liver disease.

Most people on the pill won’t have any problems at all. But just in case, it’s good to know what the signs of a serious issue are.

  • See a doctor or nurse right away if you have:
  1. Sudden back/jaw pain along with nausea, sweating, or trouble breathing
  2. Chest pain or discomfort
  3. Achy soreness in your leg
  4. Trouble breathing
  5. Severe pain in your belly or stomach
  6. Sudden, very bad headache
  7. Headaches that are different, worse, or happen more often than usual
  8. Aura — (seeing flashing, zigzag lines)
  9. Yellowing of your skin or eyes
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