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. It is one tablet 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.
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.
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