Emergency Contraception (Morning after pill)

If you have any questions about emergency contraception, please speak with one of our pharmacists. 

Emergency contraception is used after unprotected sex. You may decide to use emergency contraception if:

• you didn't use any contraception
• you had sex without a condom or the condom broke
• you forgot to take your usual contraceptive pills
• you were sexually assaulted

There are three types of emergency contraception.

• the levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill - available without a prescription from pharmacies. There are lots of different brand names
• the ulipristal acetate emergency contraceptive pill - available without a prescription from pharmacies. It is called EllaOne
• a copper intrauterine device (IUD) - inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex by a trained doctor or nurse

Emergency contraceptive pills work by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from a woman's ovaries (ovulation). Emergency contraception pills do not cause an abortion. Emergency contraception pills do not cause harm if you accidentally take them when you are already pregnant.

The copper IUD mainly works by interfering with sperm movement, which stops them fertilising an egg. Sometimes it works by preventing implantation of a fertilised egg, but it has no effect after implantation. The copper IUD does not cause an abortion.