What it is?
Emergency contraception can be used after unprotected sex or if your contraception has failed. There are two types of emergency contraception:
- Intrauterine device (IUD)-Can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex
- Emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) or ‘Morning after pill’ - Can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex
Click on ‘IUD’ for more information on how it works to stop a pregnancy.
‘Morning after pill’ (ECP)
How does it stop me getting pregnant?
The emergency contraceptive pill or ‘the morning after pill’, should be taken within three days (72 hours) of having unprotected sex. It is more effective the sooner it is taken.
Emergency contraception can stop:
- Ovulation (an egg being released)
- An egg being fertilised by sperm
- The egg from implanting in the uterus
Advantages
- Does not affect your chance of having baby in the future
- You can buy the ECPs from the chemist without seeing a nurse/ doctor
Disadvantages
- Does not protect against STIs
May experience side effects such as:
- Feeling sick
- Being sick
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Sore breasts
- Tummy pain
- Irregular bleeding
- Fluid retention (water build up)
Side effects are rare but if they do occur, they usually disappear within 1-2 days.
How effective is it?
- The IUD is more effective than the ECPs with a success rate of 99%
- If taken correctly, within 24 hours, the emergency contraceptive pills are 90-95% effective
What makes it less effective?
- Delay in taking the pill after unprotected sex
- Being sick within 2 hours of taking the pill
- Having unprotected sex after taking the pill
If you are sick within 2 hours of taking the pill then you must speak to a doctor or nurse.
