Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception (sometimes known as the morning-after pill) may prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.

In this article:

What is emergency contraception?

Where to get it

Side-effects

Advantages & disadvantages

When to take it

How Chemist Online can help with contraception and pregnancy testing

Who should take it

How it works

Advice & Support

Who should not take it

Reliability


What is emergency contraception?
If you have had unprotected sex, or there was mistake with contraception which could mean that you may be pregnant, then one possible solution is emergency contraception – a single emergency hormonal contraception pill, or a copper IUD (a small device made of copper and plastic) which is fitted in the womb by a doctor or nurse.

Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of emergency contraception are that it is:

proven as being highly effective, and

free from your GP, Family Planning Clinic and some pharmacies

The disadvantages are that:

if not used correctly, it may not work

there may be side-effects such as nausea and vomiting

you will not be protected from sexually transmitted diseases, such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea and Herpes.


Who should take it
Most women can take emergency contraception.

Who should not take it
If you are already pregnant, please consult a medical professional before taking emergency contraception. There should be nothing to prevent you from taking the morning-after pill, but it is best to be on the safe side overall.

Where to get it
Emergency contraception is available without charge from your GP, local Family Planning Clinic and some pharmacies.

When to take it
You should take the morning-after pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

How it works
The morning-after pill releases the hormone progestogen which can prevent or delay ovulation, and also prevent implantation of an egg which has already settled in the womb.

Reliability
For most people, emergency contraception is highly effective, (but it should only be used in emergencies) and regular planned contraception is more reliable overall.

The sooner you take emergency contraception after having unprotected sex, the higher your chance of avoiding pregnancy will be.

Side-effects
Although uncommon, side-effects of emergency contraception can include:


nausea and vomiting

headache

abdominal pain

tiredness and fatigue

dizziness (and in some cases, mild disorientation)

breast tenderness, and

irritability


How Chemist Online can help with contraception and pregnancy testing
Through this website we have a range of contraception options available to buy, such as Durex Elite and Pasante Xtra Sure condoms.


You can also purchase pregnancy tests from us, such as Clearblue Pregnancy Test and First Response Pregnancy Testing Kits.


www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
Family Planning Association (fpa)
Helpline: 0845 122 8690 (9am-6pm Monday-Friday)
Website: www.fpa.org.uk

bpas (British Pregnancy Advisory Service)
Tel: 0845 730 4030
Website: www.bpas.org.uk



This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.


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