Sometimes people have already had unprotected sex and are worried that they may be pregnant. Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy after sex. This might be considered if no contraception has been used, a condom has broken or if a woman has been sexually assaulted. Remember that emergency contraception doesn’t help prevent sexually transmissible infections.
How does it work?
The emergency contraceptive pill contains special doses of the female hormone progestogen and possibly oestrogen and can prevent pregnancy in a couple of ways.
If ovulation has not already occurred, it can delay ovulation - this means a delay in the egg being released from the ovary, so fertilisation by the sperm can’t occur.
If an egg has already been released and fertilised by sperm, the pill can prevent the fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus. This means a pregnancy cannot develop.
Emergency contraception used to be called the "morning after pill" but this is no longer used as it is misleading. The words morning after implies that it can only be taken the morning after unprotected sex. This is wrong!
EC can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, a broken condom or forgotten oral contraceptive pill. EC consists of 2 tablets which are usually taken in two doses, 12 hours apart.
Any woman can take an emergency contraceptive pill, even those who cannot take other oral contraceptive pills.
The risk of becoming pregnant after taking the EC pill is between 1 and 3%. That is, for every 100 women who use emergency contraception after unprotected sex, between one and three will become pregnant. Emergency contraception is more reliable if it is taken within 12 hours of the unprotected sex.
Side effects
Side effects are minimal but may include nausea and vomiting. The timing of your next period could also change.
How to get it
The EC pill can be bought across the counter at your local pharmacist/chemist but can also be accessed at your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic.
If you are having sex, then it is a good idea to ask your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic about reliable on-going contraceptive methods and how to have safe sex rather than having to rely on emergency contraception.
The contents of this website are supplied for information only and should not be relied upon as medical advice.
If medical advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Disclaimer
