What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception is used to reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is made for women. It usually comes in the form of a pill. This is sometimes called 'the morning after pill' or 'plan B'. There are two types of pill. The right pill for you will depend on how long ago you had sex. It works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from a woman's ovaries (ovulation). The other type of emergency contraception is a device called a copper IUD. This can be inserted by your GP within five days of unprotected sex. It works by stopping the sperm from reaching the egg.
You may decide to use emergency contraception if:
- You had sex and didn't use contraception
- You had sex and your contraception method failed
- You had sex and you forgot to use your usual contraception
- You were sexually assaulted
- You usually use the oral contraceptive pill and have recently been vomiting or had diarrhea
Emergency contraception works better the sooner you get it. You can get the emergency contraception pill from your local pharmacy without a prescription. You need to see a GP if you want a copped IUD inserted.