I need to buy birth control pills, but what are they called?

In most areas of the world, if you’re looking for daily birth control⁠ (birth control: Any number of methods people use to intentionally prevent unwanted pregnancy, including the condom, the cervical barrier, the implant, the patch, the pill, the rhythm method, the ring, the shot, the IUD, spermicide and withdrawal.) pills to take to prevent pregnancy⁠ (pregnancy: The state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus within the uterus. Medically, someone is considered to be pregnant when an egg has been fertilized by sperm, cells divide, and the fertilized egg is implanted within the lining of the uterus.) , they have many brands, types and names, but they also are not usually avilable for purchase over the counter without a prescription. To be put on the birth control pill, you’ll need to see your local clinic or healthcare provider⁠ (healthcare provider: A qualified person to provide sound physical and/or mental healthcare, such as a doctor, nurse, clinician, counselor, medical assistant, midwife or other healthcare professional.) , who can determine which type is right for you, then will give you a prescription to have your pharmacist fill.

Might you instead be looking for the morning-after pill or Plan B⁠ (Plan B: A brand of emergency contraception pill.) , which is a single-use (in two doses) pill designed to be used as emergency contraception⁠ (emergency contraception: A method of contraception used to prevent pregnancy after sex or rape has already occurred, rather than used before or during, like most types of contraception. Includes emergency contraception pills and IUDs.) ? In other words, the pill⁠ (the pill: A common term for birth control pills/oral contraceptives. A hormonal medication used to prevent unwanted pregnancy.) for use after sex⁠ (sex: Different things people choose to do to actively express or enact sexuality and sexual feelings; often this involves genitals, but not always. ) has already occurred but a method of birth control was not used or failed?

If so, you’d just ask for emergency contraception, Plan B or the morning-after pill. Depending on where you’re located, and how old you are, you may be able to get it over-the-counter without a prescription, or you may not (and may need a prescription for that, too), so your best bet would be to call the pharmacist before going back so you don’t waste another trip.

Just be sure that if it is emergency contraception that you need that you move as quickly as possible: EC is only effective within 120 hours of your risk – because it cannot work once a pregnancy has actually occurred – and it is most effective the sooner in that window it is taken.