Emergency Contraception

If you’ve had unprotected sexual intercourse, Emergency Contraception is an effective and safe way to prevent pregnancy. In the event that your birth control failed (a broken condom) or if you forgot to take your birth control pill, you may be at risk of an unwanted pregnancy. This is where emergency contraception can be useful.

Emergency contraception is the right birth control choice for you if you wish to avoid pregnancy after unprotected sex.

In this article, we will explain the differences between the different types of emergency contraception to help you decide which is the best choice for you.

What Is Emergency Contraception?

Emergency contraception is a birth control method. It is used after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. 

What Emergency Contraception Options Are Available?

There are 2 different options to prevent pregnancy after you have unprotected sex:

Option 1

There are some IUDs that, if inserted within 120 hours (five days) after having unprotected sex, are very effective types of emergency contraception. These IUDs work the same on day one as on day five. However, your healthcare provider must insert it for you, you cannot do it by yourself.

Option 2

Take an emergency contraception pill (AKA the morning-after pill) within 120 hours (five days) after having unprotected sex to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

The two types of Morning After Pills are:

  • EllaOne – Use within five days (120 hours).
  •  Levonelle – Use within 3 days of unprotected sex.

These medications delay ovulation, thus stopping the egg from being fertilised and preventing pregnancy.

For the Morning After Pill to be most effective in preventing pregnancy, take the tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It may not be effective if taken after ovulation.

The Morning After Pill is available from:

·         Your local GP

·         Most Sexual Health (GUM) Clinics

·         Most Family Planning Centres

·         Most NHS Walk-In Centres or A&E Departments

·         Most pharmacies 

When Might You Need Emergency Contraception?

Even if you are diligent about using birth control, there may be certain times when you find yourself needing emergency contraception. Here are some situations in which it might be necessary.

·         you did not use a condom or other birth control means when you had sexual intercourse

·         you forgot to take your birth control pills, get your shot on time, change your patch or ring, and had sexual intercourse

·         the condom slipped off after ejaculation or broke

·         your partner ejaculated inside of you because he didn’t pull out in time

·         you had sexual intercourse against your will. 

How Effective Is Emergency Contraception?

If you use emergency contraception such as the IUD or morning-after pill correctly after you have unprotected sex, it greatly reduces your chance of getting pregnant.  The morning-after pills are safe and have been proven not to cause any long-term side effects or affect your chance of getting pregnant in the future.

However, it is not advised to use the morning-after pill as your routine form of birth control because they’re not as effective — or as affordable — as regular birth control methods such as the pill, condoms, or implant.  

Visit the Pearl Chemist Group Sexual Health Clinics to get emergency contraception at the Wimbledon location or you can also get emergency contraception at our Tolworth location.