Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed – for example, a condom has split or you have missed a pill.
There are 2 types of emergency contraception:
1. The emergency contraceptive pills – Levonelle or ellaOne (the "morning after" pill)
2. The intrauterine device (IUD or coil)
There are no serious side effects of using emergency contraception. Emergency contraception doesn't cause an abortion.
The emergency contraceptive pills:
You need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 3 days (Levonelle) or 5 days (ellaOne) of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the more effective it'll be. Taking the emergency contraceptive pills Levonelle or ellaOne can give you a headache or tummy pain and make you feel or be sick. If you're sick (vomit) within 2 hours of taking Levonelle or 3 hours of taking ellaOne you'll need to take another dose or have an IUD fitted.
The emergency contraceptive pill can make your next period earlier, later or more painful than usual.
Speak to your doctor if you're already using regular contraception.
Levonelle
Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic (man-made) version of the natural hormone progesterone produced by the ovaries.Taking it's thought to stop or delay the release of an egg (ovulation).
Levonelle has to be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of sex to prevent pregnancy. It doesn't interfere with your regular method of contraception.
ellaOne
ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which stops progesterone working normally. This also works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg.
ellaOne has to be taken within 120 hours (5 days) of sex to prevent pregnancy.
* Levonelle and ellaOne don't continue to protect you against pregnancy – if you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency pill, you can become pregnant.
They aren't intended to be used as a regular form of contraception. But you can use emergency contraception more than once in a menstrual cycle if you need to.
** Speak to your doctor about the emergency contraceptive pills contra-indications and side effects. Read the information leaflet before ingestion.
The intrauterine device or system:
The emergency IUD/IUS is the most effective method of emergency contraception – less than 1% of women who use the IUD get pregnant. It's more effective than the emergency pill at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex.
The intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse. It releases copper to stop the egg implanting in your womb or being fertilised.
The intrauterine system (IUS - Mirena, Levocert). It releases the hormone progestogen to stop you getting pregnant and lasts for 3 to 5 years, depending on the brand.
The IUD/IUS can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated (released an egg), to prevent pregnancy.
You can also choose to have the IUD (Copper) left in as an ongoing method of contraception. If you use the IUD as a regular method of contraception, it can make your periods longer, heavier or more painful.
*You may feel some discomfort when the IUD is put in, but painkillers can help.
**The emergency IUD won't react with any other medicines you're taking.
***The IUD might not be suitable if you have:
an untreated sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a pelvic infection
problems with your womb or cervix
unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex
See your doctor if you think you might be pregnant, your next period is more than 7 days late, your period is shorter or lighter than usual, you have sudden pain in your lower tummy – in rare cases, a fertilised egg may have implanted outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy).
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