Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception can be used by a woman if she has not used contraception when having sex, or if the contraception she did use failed for some reason, and she does not want to get pregnant.

There are two types of emergency contraception; the emergency contraceptive pill and the emergency interuterine device (IUD).

Emergency contraceptive pill

Also known as the morning after pill

What is it?

It is a tablet containing a large dose of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone which can be taken up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex. If it's too late for the pill but it's still within 5 days you can always use the IUD.

How does it work?

The emergency contraceptive pill can work in three different ways to prevent a pregnancy from taking place; it can prevent an egg from being released, it can prevent an egg from being fertilised, or if an egg has been fertilised it can prevent it from implanting in the womb and developing into a foetus.

Some people worry that emergency contraception is a form of abortion, but it is not, as an abortion involves removing a foetus from the womb. Emergency contraception works by preventing a foetus from being able to develop.

How effective is it?

How effective the emergency contraceptive pill is depends on when it is taken, and a general rule of thumb is the sooner the better, although it can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.

If it is taken within 24 hours it is 95% effective; within 25-48 hours it is 85% effective; and within 49-72 hours it is 58% effective.

What are the advantages?

The emergency contraceptive pill is easy to take, can be taken by most women and is quite easy to get hold of as it can be prescribed free by any doctor. It does not have any long-term side effects and is very safe.

What are the downsides?

It is not as effective as regular contraception and taking it does not guarantee that you will not get pregnant. It also does not provide you with any protection against sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

Taking it may cause some irregular bleeding or disrupt your periods, causing them to come earlier or later than expected. This is more likely to happen if you have taken it more than once.

Where can you get it?

The emergency contraceptive pill is available from GPs, family planning clinics, young person’s clinics, GUM clinics or A&E. Some schools may also be able to provide it via the school nurse. In addition it is available to buy at pharmacies, but this can be expensive as most charge around £25. Some pharmacies will provide it free to young people under 19.

It is important to remember that if you need the emergency contraceptive pill it is you that has to see the doctor or pharmacist, nobody else can get it for you.

Things to bear in mind

Taking the emergency contraceptive pill does not provide you with protection if you have any more unprotected sex after you have taken it. It also is not something you should use in place of regular contraception because it is not as effective in preventing pregnancy.