NEW YORK (AP) – About one-in-nine young women have used the morning-after pill after sex, according to the first government report to focus on emergency contraception since its approval 15 years ago.

The results come from a survey of women ages 15 to 44. The use of morning-after pills is up from four percent in 2002.

Experts said the increased popularity is probably because it is easier to get now and because of media coverage of controversial efforts to lift the age limit for over-the-counter sales.

A prescription is still required for those younger than 17 so it is still sold from behind pharmacy counters. The morning-after pill is a high-dose version of birth control pills. It prevents ovulation and needs to be taken within a few days after sex. The morning-after pill is different from the so-called abortion pill, which is designed to terminate a pregnancy. The results of the study were released Feb. 14, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.