Emergency Contraception

Don't Panic!

If you've had sex without using any contraception, or if the condom your partner was using split or slipped off during intercourse, you're at risk of being pregnant.

But don't panic - emergency contraception can help prevent an unwanted pregnancy, and it's available free and without appointment.

What is it?
What you actually get is two doses of hormonal tablets which can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex.

Depending on when you use emergency contraception during your monthly cycle, the pills will either stop the release of an egg or stop a fertilised egg from becoming attached in your uterus. Pregnancy occurs only after the egg has become attached in your uterus. Once this has happened, emergency contraception pills are no longer effective.

You'll be given one tablet to take soon and another which you'll need to take exactly 12 hours later. The tablets should be taken with food.

You need to inform the doctor if you are taking any medicines, including herbal remedies such as St. John's Wort, as this will interfere with the absorption of the double dose pill.

The above tablets can be bought for £20 at chemists, but are not available to under-16s.

What happens next?

Your period should be normal and usually starts when you expect, but it could be slightly earlier or later.

Some women do feel sick, but this usually passes within 12 hours of the second dose. Travel sickness tablets may help. If you vomit within two hours of taking either dose of the tablets, contact the doctor who gave you the pills, as soon as possible, to arrange another dose or other alternative.

It is important to go back for a follow-up appointment in 3 or 4 weeks, just to check the treatment has worked and that your periods are back to normal. Although it is unlikely that you would be pregnant after taking emergency contraception, it's not 100% effective and it's best to be sure.

Very rarely, following emergency contraception, an ectopic pregnancy may occur (pregnancy in the tube, rather than the womb). If you get a severe pain in your lower stomach which lasts any length of time and is not a period cramp, you should make a doctors appointment, or if that's not possible, go to your nearest accident and emergency department.

If the pills don't work, but you decide to continue with the pregnancy, emergency contraception is not believed to harm any pregnancy.

Failure rates for emergency contraception are higher if you continue to have sex in the same cycle. To avoid the risk of having to use further emergency contraception during the same cycle, it's best to wait until your next period arrives before you have sex. This will also give you time to sort out which contraceptive methods are best for you.

You will be able to use emergency contraception again, but it's not recommended for regular use. That's why you need to think carefully about reliable methods of contraception and choose which one you feel happy with.

Method 2 - The Intrauterine Device (IUD)

What is an IUD?
An IUD is a small plastic and copper device with one or two soft threads on the end. These thin threads come through the opening at the neck of your womb (cervix) into the top of your vagina. The IUD is more commonly known as the 'coil'.

What is involved?
A doctor fits an IUD in your uterus within 5 days of unprotected sex or within 5 days from the earliest day you could have released an ovum (egg).

Sometimes an accident and emergency unit can offer help, but don't rely on this without checking first or Square 13 may also be able to help.

How does the IUD work?
It may stop an egg being fertilised or implanting in your womb.

What if the IUD doesn't work?
The IUD is very effective, almost 100%, and can be used for long term contraception if you want (although it does not protect from STI's) ask your GP or local family planning clinic for more info.

Occasionally pregnancy can occur. If you have any discomfort or pain see a doctor straight away.

Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after the IUD is fitted?
It is important to see a doctor or nurse three to four weeks after the IUD is fitted, whether or not you have had a period. This is to check that you are not pregnant and if there are any problems, to discuss them.

When can I have the IUD removed?
If you do not want to keep the IUD as your regular contraceptive method, it can be removed during your next period.

Does emergency contraception cause an abortion?
No emergency contraception may prevent ovulation or fertilisation of an egg, or stop a fertilised egg implanting in the womb.

Abortion can only take place after a fertilised egg has implanted in the womb.

Medical research and legal opinion are quite clear that emergency contraception (pills or an IUD) prevents pregnancy and is not an abortion.