There are more options for medications and procedures than ever before to help ensure that you practice safe sex, avoid pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and your local pharmacy can help explore the right option for you.
From condoms to the pill, to implants and copper coils, there are a lot of methods of contraception available, some of which will be more right for you than others.
However, what all of these different methods have in common is that they require some degree of forward planning, but there are some situations where you might have a sexual encounter that puts you at a greater risk of pregnancy.
In those situations, emergency contraception in the form of the morning-after pill is available at all pharmacies which offer sexual health or emergency contraception services.
The morning-after pill can help to minimise the risk of pregnancy, but in order for it to work at its best, it is important to know how it works, when you can take it, when it might not be as effective and what alternatives are available.
What Is The Morning-After Pill?
The most common form of contraception, the morning-after pill, is a single contraceptive pill taken as soon after unprotected sex as possible to prevent pregnancy.
There are two types of pills, levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate, but both work to delay or prevent ovulation, albeit in slightly different ways.
Without an egg for the sperm to fertilise, there can be no pregnancy, and both levonorgestrel
and ulipristal acetate delay the release of an egg long enough for the sperm to die.
The method of action is slightly different, although both involve using synthetic hormones to stop the body from releasing an egg.
When Do You Take The Pill?
Both morning-after pills work best when taken as soon as possible, but whilst levonorgestrel only works for a maximum of three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex, ulipristal acetate works for up to five days, and continues to work effectively up until the end of that time period.
Are There Any Side Effects To The Morning-After Pill?
As with the contraceptive pill, there can be a few side effects that are relatively mild, such as stomach cramps, irregular bleeding, sickness, headaches and tiredness, but they will typically go away on their own.
However, if you vomit within three hours of taking either, you may need to take another dose. It may be best to get in touch with your local pharmacy or GP to ask for their advice and possibly take a second dose to be safe.
Does The Morning-After Pill Always Work?
Emergency contraceptive pills are typically very effective, but in relative terms, they are not as effective as other forms of contraception. In practice, this effectiveness is still well over 95 per cent, but compared to the over 99 per cent for contraceptive pills, the coil and correctly applied condoms, it is a relatively larger risk.
Beyond this, they may not be as effective if you have unprotected sex again after taking it, as that cuts the amount of time it works to avoid ovulation.
It also will not work if an egg is already fertilised; it is not an abortion pill such as the combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, which would kill the pregnancy.
They also will not help to prevent sexually transmitted diseases. The only way to protect yourself from STIs during sex is with condoms and by ensuring that you are regularly tested.
What Alternative Emergency Contraceptives Are Available?
The front-line emergency contraceptive treatment is the insertion of an intrauterine device (IUD) or the coil, which is a small, plastic device that is inserted into the uterus that releases tiny amounts of copper that weakens and kills sperm, including those that are still in the body after unprotected sex.
What makes it the best form of contraceptive is that it not only works to protect you within five days after unprotected sex, but it also works as a highly effective contraceptive afterwards. It is over 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy and can be used for up to ten years, depending on the type.
It also does not permanently affect fertility; if you want to conceive, you can arrange to have it removed, and your body will return to its natural level of fertility quickly.
What Should You Do If You Need Emergency Contraception More Than Once?
If you find yourself needing emergency contraception soon after using it, it is always there for you, even if the side effects can be more unpleasant if you take it regularly within a short space of time.
However, if you find yourself using it more than a few times, it may be worth consulting your pharmacy for a more long-term form of contraception.
Frequently Asked Questions
Emergency contraception is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel should be taken within 72 hours, while ulipristal acetate can be taken up to 120 hours (five days) afterwards. The copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception and remains the most effective option.
Yes. Pharmacies can supply emergency contraception following a confidential consultation with a pharmacist. They will assess which option is most suitable based on the timing of unprotected sex, your medical history, and any medicines you take.
No. Emergency contraception only reduces the risk of pregnancy from recent unprotected sex. It does not provide ongoing contraception. You should discuss a regular contraceptive method with your pharmacist, GP, or sexual health clinic to ensure continued protection.