Emergency contraception

What to do now

If you've had sex without contraception, or your contraception failed (a split condom, missed pills), you can still prevent a pregnancy.

1. Get emergency contraception today if you can. The pills work best the sooner you take them.
2. Go to a pharmacy, sexual health clinic or GP. In England it's free from most pharmacies, with no appointment and no prescription.
3. It's been more than 3 days? You can still take ellaOne up to 5 days afterwards, or have a copper coil fitted.

Your options

The emergency contraceptive pill (“morning-after pill”)

There are two kinds. Both work by delaying the release of an egg, so they won't work if you've already ovulated. That's why sooner is better.

• Levonorgestrel (Levonelle and other brands) must be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of sex.
• Ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after sex, and is more effective than levonorgestrel.

Despite the name, you don't have to wait until the morning after. You can take either pill straight away.

The copper coil (IUD)

A small device fitted in the womb by a nurse or doctor at a sexual health clinic or some GP surgeries. It's the most effective emergency contraception, at over 99%, and can be fitted up to 5 days after sex (or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated). You can then keep it as your regular contraception for years.

Where to get it

Under 16? You can still get emergency contraception, and it's confidential. The pharmacist, nurse or doctor won't tell your parents unless they think you or someone else is at risk of harm.

What can make it less effective

Tell the pharmacist or nurse about any of these, so they can give you the best option:

• Your weight. Levonorgestrel may work less well if your BMI is over 26 or you weigh more than 70kg. You may be offered ellaOne, a copper coil, or a double dose of levonorgestrel.
• Other medicines. Some medicines for epilepsy, HIV and tuberculosis, and St John's wort, taken now or in the last 4 weeks, can stop the pills working. A copper coil or a double dose of levonorgestrel is recommended instead.
• Recent hormonal contraception. If you've taken the pill or another hormonal method in the past 7 days, ellaOne may work less well.
• Being sick. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking an emergency pill, you'll need another dose. Go back to the pharmacy.

Afterwards

• Your next period may come earlier or later than usual. Do a pregnancy test if it's more than 7 days late or unusually light or short, and 3 weeks after the sex if you've started hormonal contraception.
• It doesn't give ongoing protection. If you have unprotected sex again, even later in the same cycle, you could still get pregnant.
• After levonorgestrel you can start regular contraception straight away. After ellaOne, wait 5 days before starting or restarting any hormonal contraception, and use condoms in the meantime.
• It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted infections. A sexual health clinic can test you for free.

Common questions