Emergency contraception can be used if a contraceptive method fails (for instance a condom splits) or a pill is missed or no contraception is used at all.

There are two forms of emergency contraception – 1) the emergency hormonal contraceptive pill EHC – you may have heard it being called the ‘morning after pill’ or the ‘72 hour pill’ and 2) the emergency IUD (inserted within 5 days).

You can take EHC up to 72 hours or three days after having unprotected sex or if another contraceptive method fails to prevent getting pregnant. The sooner you take it the more effective it is.
Even if it has been more than 72 hours since you had sex it is worth contacting your local sexual health clinic or GP as soon as possible for more help and advice.

Emergency contraception should only be used in emergencies and not as a regular form of contraception. It will not protect against sexually transmitted infections; only condoms and femidoms can do this. Ask your doctor, nurse, family planning or GUM clinic or pharmacist for advice if you are worried about this.

How EHC works

Emergency contraceptive pills can either stop an egg being released from a female’s ovary or prevent an egg that has been fertilised by a male’s sperm from growing into a baby in her womb. It stops a pregnancy before it is established. It does not work if you are already pregnant.

This medication is only for emergencies and should not be used as regular contraception. If you need regular contraception, speak to a doctor or nurse about what’s right for you.

Possible Side Effects

There are no serious short or long term effects from using the emergency pill. You may have heard that emergency pills make you sick. In most cases this is not true. Very few people who take the tablets will be sick. However, if you are sick you will be advised by your pharmacist what to do next.

You might have tender breasts, headaches, lower abdominal (tummy) pain, and diarrhoea, feel dizzy or feel tired after taking this medicine. These symptoms should get better within a few days.

Your period might be different. Most women will have a normal period at the expected time, but some may have their period later or earlier than normal. You might also have some irregular bleeding or spotting until your next period. If your period is more than 5 days late or is unusually light or unusually heavy, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible.

If you are worried about any of the possible side effects then speak to your pharmacist, doctor, nurse or local clinic for advice.

72 Hours Already Past?

You can have an IUD (Intra-uterine device also known as the Coil) fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex. An IUD is a tiny plastic or copper device that a specially trained doctor or nurse puts into the neck of a woman’s womb to stop any fertilised eggs from settling and growing into a baby. It’s nearly impossible to get pregnant once an IUD is in place and it can be left in for up to five years as a regular method of contraception. Like Emergency Hormonal Contraception it does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections.

Click here for a list of pharmacists in Bedfordshire who can provide you with FREE Emergency Hormonal Contraception.

Look out for this sign in the window of participating pharmacies.

Emergency Contraception can be obtained free, by young women of any age from Bedfordshire family planning services and GUM. You can also obtain it from you GP however you may be charged the price of a prescription (£7.20).

The Emergency Contraceptive Pill can also be obtained from pharmacists who are not participating in the EHC scheme, however they may not provide it to under 16's and it will cost about £25.