How does the morning-after pill prevent pregnancy? - Alison Edelman (Level 1)

Many people do not understand the morning-after pill. A study showed that most people do not know how it works. These pills do not end a pregnancy. Instead, they stop a pregnancy before it starts. Every month, a woman's body releases an egg. If sperm meets the egg, a woman can get pregnant. Emergency pills stop or delay the body from releasing the egg. There are two main types of pills. Both work best if you take them as soon as possible after sex. You do not need to wait until the morning. Sperm can live inside the body for five days, so taking the pill quickly is important. Some people worry that these pills will hurt their bodies. This is not true. The pills are safe and do not stop you from having babies later. Regular birth control is best, but emergency pills are a safe choice when needed.