Emergency contraception

Benefits
- There are no serious side effects of using emergency contraceptive pills
- Reduces risk of pregnancy if you haven't used contraception, or if your contraception has failed.
The emergency contraception (EC) pill (sometimes called the ‘morning after pill’) can be taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
There are two types of hormonal emergency contraception; one which has to be taken within three days of unprotected sex, and the other within five days. The non-hormonal coil (IUD) is the most effective emergency contraception if inserted up to five days after unprotected sex.
The emergency contraceptive pill is by far the most popular method of emergency contraception, and can be bought without prescription from most pharmacies.
Thinking about emergency contraception? Join the conversation.
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*most effective within 24 hours. Effectiveness decreases with time since unprotected sex
**can make earlier or later