Emergency Contraception

When can I use emergency contraception?

If you are having fertile menstrual cycles, have had unprotected sex and want to prevent yourself becoming pregnant, there are two things you can still do, take an emergency pill or have an intrauterine device fitted.

Back to top

What emergency pills are available?

Levonelle-2 is based on the progestogen-only pill. Levonelle-2 is taken according to the packet instructions. Levonelle-2 is more effective and has fewer side effects than the older type of emergency pills (PC4). A version of this called just Levonelle can be purchased at pharmacists but there are some restrictions on who pharmacists can supply them to including to girls aged under 16 years.

They work best if the pills are taken during the first 24 hours after sexual intercourse has taken place. This is why they used to be called the 'morning after pill'. We know they can still work if they are taken up to 72 hours after sex, but the sooner you take them, the more likely they are to prevent pregnancy, so don't delay.

They don't always prevent pregnancy, so you should get a pregnancy test if your period is late or unusual in any way. As always, if you have any sudden or severe bleeding, you should go to see a doctor promptly.

Back to top

How are intrauterine devices, IUD/coil, used as emergency contraception?

It is always best to seek help as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If, for any reason, you miss the 72-hour limit for hormonal emergency contraception do still go to a doctor or clinic for advice. There are some circumstances in which it is reasonable to take emergency pills even when more than 72 hours have elapsed since unprotected sex. This is particularly so when the unprotected sex was early in the menstrual cycle.

Sometimes, a doctor can fit you with an IUD up to five days after you have had unprotected sex, if you are within five days of egg release. In general, doctors prefer to fit IUDs for older women, or those who have had children. After it has been fitted, you can use it in future as a regular method of contraception. Often, in younger women, IUDs that were fitted as emergency contraception are later removed, and such women then use a different type of contraception.

Remember, IUDs will not protect you from infections, you will need to use a barrier method for this. If you have more than one partner, or your partner does, you are at a higher risk of getting infections and probably shouldn't have an IUD. This is because if you get an infection, it can be more serious if you have an IUD fitted. You will be asked to come back for a check-up 3–4 weeks after an IUD has been fitted.

If you have a delayed or very light period or are experiencing unusual bleeding or an unusual pain in your tummy and think you might be pregnant, you should go to see a doctor. This is because you are a little more likely to have an ectopic pregnancy when you have an IUD fitted. This is rare but serious.

"Emergency contraception is easy to get from a doctor, clinic or even a pharmacy."

Back to top

Where can I get emergency contraception?

The earlier you get emergency contraception the more likely it is to prevent a pregnancy. It is very easy to get emergency contraception, two pills that you can take up to 72 hours or about 3 days after having sex. After 3 days from having unprotected sex you should attend The Laurels - Contraception & Sexual Health Service where they can fit a coil or intrauterine device up to 5 days after you have had sex, or even longer in some cases.

At shac (at Clinic 1A), we can give you emergency contraception when our clinic is open. If we are closed, you can get it from a family planning clinic or your GP.

You can buy emergency contraception from chemists, this costs about £26 although pharmacists are not able to sell emergency contraception pills to girls aged under 16 years. You can also get emergency contraception at the Contraception & Sexual Health Service.

Back to top

"Ask for a confidentiality card."

How can I make it easy to ask for emergency contraception?

Every consultation with your doctor or nurse is private and confidential. They will not tell anyone else about it without your permission. You can ask some GPs to give you a 'confidentiality card', which you can hand to the receptionist when you want to get emergency contraception. This means you don't have to explain to her what has happened and what you need.

"Emergency contraception is really safe and easy to take."

Back to top

Can anyone take emergency contraceptive pills, and will it make me feel ill?

Emergency contraception pills can be used by almost all girls and women. They are even safe for girls or women who can't take regular contraceptive pills, for whatever reason. Your doctor will also check that there are no medical reasons why you should not use them. Some people used to feel sick after taking some types of emergency contraceptive pills. If you do feel sick, the doctor can also give you pills to reduce the sickness.

Back to top

Does emergency contraception work every time?

The earlier you use it, the better. The sooner you start to take emergency contraceptive pills, after sexual intercourse, the more likely they are to prevent a pregnancy. Emergency IUDs are very effective but can't be used by all girls or women who seek advice. It depends on the medical history of the girl or woman and when she needs one in relation to her menstrual cycle.

Back to top

Why can it fail?

The most common reasons why emergency contraception can fail are:

• Being sick within two hours of taking the pills.

• Not following the instructions given about when to take the pills.

• Because you had unprotected sex at another time before the 72-hour window.

• Having unprotected sex after you have taken the pills.

• For another unknown reason, even when none of the above apply.

Back to top

What should I look out for after emergency contraception?

You might be asked to come back to see the doctor for a check-up. If you don't get a normal period within three weeks of taking emergency contraception, go to see a doctor or nurse to check you are not pregnant.

Back to top

If it doesn't work, will it harm the baby?

Some girls or women who take emergency contraception pills do still become pregnant. This might be because you had sexual intercourse more than 72 hours before taking the pills or because for some reason the pills didn't work, see above. If the pregnancy is continued with, we know that such pregnancies and babies are just as safe and healthy as those of girls and women who didn't take emergency pills.

Back to top

Can I use emergency contraception as my only type of contraception?

The best type of contraception is one that puts you in control and stops you getting infections. At the moment in the UK, most people get emergency contraception from a doctor or nurse. The pills are very safe but we don't think you should use it as your only method of contraception. It would be less convenient for you.
It is safe to take the pills more than once, but this type of contraception is less effective than others.

Emergency contraception won't stop you getting infections. It is better to use a barrier method like the male or female condom. In general, it is much better to arrange other forms of contraception that put you in control.

Back to top

Emergency contraception isn't a type of abortion.

Emergency contraception is not a type of termination or abortion. Medical research has shown that emergency contraception stops the fertilisation of an egg, or it stops a fertilised egg implanting in the womb. Medical and legal opinion is clear that it prevents pregnancy and is not abortion. However, if you feel strongly that life begins when an egg is fertilised, you might decide not to use this type of contraception.