Need emergency contraception?

Accidents happen - condoms break, contraceptive pills can be missed, diaphragms slip.

If you think your contraceptive has failed, don't panic. There are two main types of emergency contraception available: Emergency contraceptive pill and the intrauterine device (IUD), or coil.

Remember: Contact your doctor or nurse if you have any concerns or are worried / unsure about anything to do with your contraception.

Emergency contraceptive pill

What is it?

The emergency contraceptive (or 'morning after') pill is an oral tablet containing progestogen, a hormone that is similar to the natural progesterone women produce in their ovaries. It works by delaying or stopping an egg being released (ovulation). It may also stop a fertilised egg settling in the womb (implanting).

How effective is it?

If taken properly, the emergency contraceptive pill is up to 95% effective when taken within 24 hours. Although it can still be taken up to 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex, it works best if it is taken as soon as possible.

Where can I get the emergency contraceptive pill?

The emergency contraceptive pill is available free from your GP or family planning clinic. It can also be bought from most pharmacies and is free for under 16s in some pharmacies. Some Accident and Emergency departments also supply emergency contraception.

It is not possible to obtain the emergency contraceptive pill on behalf of someone else. The health professional will need to ask specific questions to ensure that it is appropriate for the woman to take.

Is the emergency contraceptive pill suitable for all women?

Most women are able to take the emergency contraceptive pill. However, it is important to tell your health professional if you are taking any prescribed medicines at the same time or if you have any specific illnesses.

Possible side-effects?

Not all women experience side-effects

There are no serious short or long-term effects from using the emergency contraceptive pill, although it may affect people in different ways. Some women may feel sick, dizzy or tired, or get headaches, breast tenderness or abdominal pain.

It is unusual for the emergency contraceptive pill to cause sickness. However, if you are sick within two hours of taking the emergency pill it may not have had time to be absorbed into your body and might not work. If this is the case you may need to take another pill – you should seek medical advice from a health professional immediately.

How will the emergency contraceptive pill affect my next period?

Your next period may come a few days early or late. Some women also experience irregular bleeding between taking the emergency pill and their next period.

I'm on 'the Pill', can I continue to take this as normal after the emergency contraceptive pill?

If emergency contraception is used because of a missed regular contraceptive pill, a contraceptive pill should be taken again within 12 hours of the emergency pill. It is also important to use an additional contraceptive method, such as condoms, for seven days with the combined pill and two days with the progestogen-only pill.

How many times can I use the emergency contraceptive pill?

There is no evidence that it is dangerous to take the emergency contraceptive pill more than once. However, if it is necessary to take the pill twice in the same menstrual cycle, it is advisable to seek medical advice from a health professional.

Emergency contraception should be reserved for emergencies only and not replace your usual method of contraception. This is because emergency contraception is not as effective as many other contraceptive methods.

Can the emergency contraceptive pill fail?

In some women it fails even though the pill was taken properly, resulting in pregnancy. There is a greater risk of falling pregnant if you:

• Delay taking the emergency pill
• Vomit within two hours of taking the pill
• Have had unprotected sex at another time, either since your last period or since taking the emergency pill (the emergency contraceptive pill will not protect you from pregnancy if you have further unprotected sex)

An alternative type of emergency contraception to the emergency contraceptive pill is the Intrauterine Device (IUD) and more information can be found here.