What is emergency contraception?

If you’ve had sex and didn’t use a condom or regular method of contraception, or had a problem with the method you used, you can use emergency contraception to reduce the risk of pregnancy. You might have forgotten to take your contraceptive pill, for instance, or the condom that you and your partner were using might have slipped off or split.

Using emergency contraception will reduce your risk of becoming pregnant. But you need to act fast. Emergency contraception is more effective if it is used soon after sex.

What are my options?

There are two methods of emergency contraception:

• Emergency contraceptive pill

• Intrauterine device

What is the emergency contraceptive pill (EHC)?

There are two brands of emergency contraceptive pill: Levonelle and EllaOne.

Levonelle is the most common brand of emergency contraceptive pill. It must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of having unprotected sex. Like all methods of emergency contraception it is most effective if it is taken soon after sex. If the pill is taken with 24 hours it will prevent 95% of pregnancies. This is the brand of pill that is available, free, from lots of pharmacies.

EllaOne is a newer brand of emergency contraceptive pill. It must be taken within 120 hours (5 days) of having unprotected sex. Like all methods of emergency contraception it is most effective if it is taken soon after sex. If the pill is taken with 24 hours it will prevent 95% of pregnancies.

Where can I get the emergency contraceptive pill?

Women of all ages can get the emergency contraceptive pill, for free, from:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health clinics in Greater Manchester

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• Pharmacies that are taking part in the free emergency contraception scheme

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Young women can get the emergency contraceptive pill, for free, from:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health clinics for young people

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Lots of pharmacies also sell emergency contraceptive pills. You can buy pills for use now or for use in the future.

What is the intrauterine device?

As well as being a regular method of contraception, intrauterine devices (IUDs) can also be fitted for use as emergency contraception. The IUD is a small, plastic and copper device that is inserted into the neck of the womb by a nurse or doctor. It must be fitted within 120 hours (5 days) of having unprotected sex.

Where can I get an IUD?

Women of all ages can get an intrauterine device, for free, from Sexual and Reproductive Health clinics in Greater Manchester

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Should I get tested for sexually transmitted infections?

If you have had sex with a new partner without using a condom you might have picked up a sexually transmitted infection. It is a good idea to consider going to a Sexual Health clinic for a routine check-up, just to be sure.

Women of all ages can get a routine sexual health check-up, for free, from:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health clinics in Greater Manchester