Emergency contraception
You can use emergency contraception (morning after pill) if you’ve had unprotected sex (sex without a condom/contraception) or the condom split in the last 5 days (120 hours)
- What is emergency contraception?
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Emergency contraception is commonly referred to as "The morning after pill" or "EC." If you have had sex without using contraception, or think your contraception might have failed, you can use emergency contraception.
- How soon after sex can I take emergency contraception?
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It is really important that you get emergency contraception as soon as possible following unprotected sex, i.e without any contraception - as it works best to stop pregnancy the sooner it is taken. There are three types of emergency contraception:
- Emergency Contractive Pill levonorgestrel which can be taken up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex.
- Emergency contraceptive pill EllaOne, which can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex.
- The copper IUD (coil), it can be inserted up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. This can be left in place as a long term form of contraception also.
- Where can I get it?
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If you’ve had unprotected sex within 120 hours (5 days) you can get free emergency contraception from most pharmacies. There may be occasion when the pharmacist is not available, please telephone to check.
This service is confidential and available to women of all ages including young people under 16.
- Anything else I need to know?
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If you've had unprotected sex or the condom failed it is really important to also consider your risk for sexually transmitted infections and to think about your long-term contraception needs.
If you are under 25 you can pick up free condoms from pharmacies providing emergency contraception in Hampshire. Just ask in pharmacy for these services. You can also order free condoms or a free chlamydia test kit online from Let's Talk about It.