Emergency Contraception 

If you have had sex without using contraception, or if your contraception might have failed (both referred to as unprotected sex), you can use emergency contraception. There are two methods of emergency contraception - emergency contraceptive pills and a copper intrauterine device (IUD).

Progestogen-only emergency pills

What are they?
Emergency contraceptive pills contain a progestogen hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone women produce in their ovaries.

Where can I get the emergency contraceptive pills?
They are available:

• Free from any GP who provides contraceptive services
• Free from Family Planning Clinics (in Brighton this is the Morley St Family Planning Clinic)
• Free from most young people's clinics or Brook clinics
• Free from most sexual health clinics
• Free from most GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinics (in Brighton this is the Claude Nicol Centre)
• Free from most NHS walk-in centres
• Free from some hospital accident and emergency departments (the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton does not provide it)
• Some pharmacies sell it but you will usually have to pay approx £25
• The University of Sussex pharmacy also provides emergency contraception (free to students and low waged - no age limit). Click here to find out opening times and contact details.

How do I take them?
Emergency contraceptive pills come in a pack of two and both pills should be taken together, at the same time. You can take emergency contraception up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, however the sooner you take it the more effective it will be:

• If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse, they are about 95% effective
• If taken 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse they are about 58% effective

Emergency contraceptive pills will not protect you from pregnancy if you have further unprotected sex - using a regular method of contraception that you feel comfortable with (e.g. condoms or the contraceptive pill - see contraception) is the most effective way of protecting you against unwanted pregnancy in the long term.

How do they work?
They can work in three ways:

• by stopping an egg being released (ovulation)
• by delaying ovulation
• by stopping a fertilised egg setling in your womb (implanting).

What are the side effects?
After taking them some women experience nausea, dizziness, tiredness, breast tenderness, abdominal pain and/or headaches. Occasionally a woman may vomit and if this happens within two hours of taking them you should consult your doctor. There are no serious short or long term affects from using emergency pills.

You may also find they affect your period - it may come earlier than expected or up to a week late. There might also be some bleeding in between taking the pills and your next period.

How often can I use them?
There is no limit on the amount of times you can take emergency contraceptive pills. However, you should be aware that they are not as effective as using other contraceptive methods regularly.

Can any woman take them?
Almost every woman can take the emergency contraceptive pills. However, if you are taking certain prescibed or complementary medicines you may need specialist advice. Tell your doctor about any medicines you are taking or any illnesses you may have.

Do I need to see the nurse of doctor after I've taken them?
Not usually, but do go and seek advice if:

• Your period is more than 7 days late
• Your period is much lighter or shorter than usual
• You experience any sudden or unusual lower abdominal pain
• You think you may be pregnant (should you find you are pregnant and decide to keep the baby you may like to know that emergency contraceptive pills have not been shown to affect a pregnancy or harm a developing baby)
• You want to talk about using regular contraception (you can get information on the various contraceptive methods from the UNISEX drop-ins)
• You are worried you may have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) - emergency contraceptive pills will not prevent STIs

Which pharmacies stock the emergency contraceptive pills?
Below is a list of pharmacies in Brighton and Hove which stock the emergency contraceptive pill. It is free to those under 19 but usually costs £25. Please contact the pharmacy first to ensure the appropriate pharmacist is available.

• Boots, 119-120 London Road, Brighton. 01273 603621
• Co-op Superstore, Neville Road, Hove. 01273 203752
• Day Lewis-Gunns, 108 Western Road, Brighton. 01273 734227
• Lloyds, 105 Church Road, Hove. 01273 732216
• Moss, 10 Queen's Parade, Applesham Avenue. 01273 736443
• Moss, 76 Boundary Road, Hove. 01273 418165
• Ross Chemists, 3 York Place, London Road, Brighton. 01273 681396
• Watts & Co, 110 Dyke Road, Seven Dials, Brighton. 01273 327640
• University of Sussex Pharmacy, University of Sussex campus. 01273 699883

For further information on emergency contraceptive pills and/or other methods of contraception see the Family Planning Association Website

If you have any concerns about your emergency contraception and/or notice anything unusual you should see your doctor or nurse as soon as possible.

The copper IUD

What's involved?
A copper intrauterine device (IUD) is a small copper device which is put into the womb. It stops sperm meeting an egg (fertilisation) or may stop an egg settling in the womb. It has to be fitted by a doctor or nurse and can be used up to five days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest time you could have released an egg (ovulation).

How effective is it?
The IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception. It will prevent 98% of pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been used. It can also provde on going contraception if you want to use this method (see contraception).

Can any woman use this method?
Most women can use the IUD as a method of emergency contraception. It is particularly useful if:

• you want to use the most effective method of emergency contraception
• you are too late to take emergency contraceptive pills (over 72 hours after unprotected sex)
• you do not want to or cannot take progestogen
• you want to use the IUD as an ongoing method of contraception

What are the disadvantages?
When an IUD is fitted there is a small chance of you getting an infection in your womb within the first 21 days after it is put in. If you have been put at risk of catching an STI you may have screening tests done when the IUD is fitted and given some antibiotics. This will help reduce this risk.

An IUD can also occasionally go through the womb or cervix when it is fitted. It may be painful but often there are no symptoms. If this happens the IUD would have to be removed by surgery. However, this is uncommon as long as the IUD is fitted by an experienced nurse or doctor.

Do I have to go back once it's been fitted?
Yes, it is important to see a doctor or nurse three to four weeks after the IUD is fitted, whether or not you have had a period. This is to ensure you are not pregnant, that it is in the correct place and to discuss any problems.

When is it removed?
If you do not want to keep the IUD as your regular method of contraception, it can be removed as soon as you are sure you are not pregnant (usually during your next period).

If you have any concerns about your emergency contraception and/or notice anything unusual you should see your doctor or nurse as soon as possible.

For further information on the copper intrauterine device and/or other methods of contraception see the Family Planning Association Website