Emergency contraception

What is it?

If you've had unprotected sex - sex without using contraception - or think your contraception has failed, you can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.

There are two methods:

• Hormonal emergency contraception (known as the emergency or morning-after pill). There are two types - Levonelle contains the hormone progestogen and is licensed for use for three days after unprotected sex, whilst ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate and is licensed for five days. Both are given as a single pill
• The copper IUD, which is fitted in the womb.

How does emergency contraception work?

The emergency pill and IUD work by stopping or delaying the release of an egg (ovulation) or preventing fertilisation or stopping a fertilised egg from settling in your womb.

Emergency contraception does not cause abortion.

How reliable is it?

It's very effective in preventing pregnancy.

The sooner it's taken after sex, the more effective the emergency pill. Levonelle is about 95 per cent effective when taken within 24 hours. Between 24 and 72 hours it can still be taken but becomes less effective, dropping to 58 per cent effective at 72 hours. However, it's not as effective as using other methods of contraception regularly. ellaOne is consistently almost 98 per cent effective during the 120 hours after sex.

• The sooner it's taken after sex, the more effective the emergency pill is. It's about 95 per cent effective when taken within 24 hours. However, it's not as effective as using other methods of contraception regularly.
• The IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception. It will prevent up to 99 per cent of pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency method had been used.

How to use emergency contraception

Emergency contraception needs to be used as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

• The emergency pill Levonelle, must be used within three days (72 hours) of unprotected sex, but the emergency pill ellaOne must be used within five days (120 hours) of unprotected sex.
• The IUD can be used up to five days after unprotected sex, at any time in the menstrual cycle, as long as this is the only unprotected sex that has occurred since your last period. If you have had unprotected sex more than once since your last period, it can be fitted up to five days after the earliest time you could have released an egg (ovulation). The IUD can be removed at your next period.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of emergency contraception include:

• There are no serious side-effects.
• The IUD is the most effective method and, if left in place, will provide ongoing regular contraception.
• It's easily available.

The disadvantages include:

• Some women may feel sick, tired or may get headaches, breast tenderness or abdominal pain after using the emergency pill - these symptoms are not common and don't last long.
• The emergency pill may disrupt your periods for a short time.

Other things you may want to consider include:

• Emergency contraception does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections.
• The emergency pill does not provide ongoing contraception.
• The IUD can be left in place to provide ongoing regular contraception.
• Some medicines may affect how the emergency pill works - always check with the doctor or pharmacist.
• If you're worried about your contraceptive method failing, if you're going on holiday or cannot get emergency contraception easily, you can get emergency pills in advance

Myths about emergency contraception:

• You can't use the morning-after pill more than once. Not true - you can use the emergency pill as many times as you need to and more than once in any one menstrual cycle, but it shouldn't be used instead of regular contraception.
• The morning-after pill contains high doses of hormones and is dangerous. Not true - it contains the hormones progestogen or ulipristal acetate, which are very safe to use.

Who can use emergency contraception?

Most women can use emergency contraception, but not every woman can use an IUD.

Where can I get emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is free on the NHS from contraception clinics, sexual health clinics, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics, walk-in centres or your GP surgery.

The morning-after pill is also available from pharmacies. If you're aged 16 or over, you can buy it.

Advice and support

Call the FPA helpline on 0845 122 8690.