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Playin' It Safe

Emergency Contraception ('Morning After') Pill

What is the emergency contraception pill?

If you have had sex without using contraception (unprotected sex) or think your contraceptive method may have failed, emergency contraceptive pills are a method a woman can use to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

The emergency contraception pill, also known as the 'morning after pill', contains the hormone progestogen. It works by stopping a woman releasing an egg, or by delaying ovulation. It will also stop a fertilised egg settling in the womb. There are two types of emergency contraception pill.

The first type is is a tablet called Levonelle which should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of having unprotected sex, but is more effective the sooner it is taken. If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, it will prevent 95% of pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been used. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex it will prevent 58% of pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been used. It is available free of charge on prescription (from sexual health services, family planning clinics and GPs) or can be bought from your local pharmacy if you are over 16 years of age.

The second type is a tablet called EllaOne and can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. It is only available on prescription (from sexual health services, family planning clinics and GPs).

What are the advantages?

  • No serious long-term effects

What are the disadvantages?

  • Short-term effects may include nausea, headaches, dizziness, tiredness, breast tenderness and abdominal pain

How many times can I use emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception can be taken more than once during the menstrual cycle. It is not dangerous to do this but it may disrupt periods. Using the emergency contraceptive pill is not as effective as using other methods of contraception.

Where can I get emergency contraception?

Hormonal emergency contraception is available from: Sexual Health Services, Time 4U, GPs, GUM clinic, A&E. Women over the age of 16 can buy emergency contraception from a pharmacy for about £26. It is available from some pharmacies to women under 21. For further information about which pharmacies supply free emergency contraception click here