Emergency Contraception

Every time a man and a woman have sex, there is a chance the woman may become pregnant. Most people use contraception to stop conception (getting pregnant).

But sometimes people might have sex without using contraception. Sometimes contraception may fail, for example if:

• A condom splits or breaks
• You are sick or have an upset stomach while taking the contraceptive pill

If this happens, you can take emergency hormonal contraception (EHC). The most common kind of emergency contraception must be taken within 72 hours of having sex. But there are other kinds of contraception you can take up to five days after having sex. If you take EHC you have a much lower chance of becoming pregnant.

You can get EHC from these places for free.

• Your GP (Doctor)
• Any Sexual Health Clinic
• School Health Nurses

Free from Pharmacies if you are 21 or Under

You can buy EHC at a pharmacy. But young women aged 21 and under can get EHC free of charge from pharmacies (also called chemists) on the below list. If your local pharmacy cannot offer this service, they will tell you where you can access free EHC.

Download the list of Pharmacies in Oxfordshire which provide free EHC to young people aged 21 and under. This list is updated regularly.

Not just the morning after

EHC is sometimes called the ‘morning after pill’. It does not have to be taken the morning after, but it will work better if you take it as soon as possible after having sex:

• In the first 24 hours after unprotected sex it is 95% effective.
• In the first 48 hours it is 85% effective.
• In the first 72 hours it is 58% effective.

If you think you may need to take EHC, but it is more than 72 hours since you have had sex, you can still take one of two other kinds of emergency contraception. But for these you will need to go to your Doctor or a Sexual Health Clinic.

Crucial: You can get EHC from your GP (Doctor). But make sure you tell them that you need Emergency Hormonal Contraception when you call to make the appointment. That way they know you need to be seen as soon as possible.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

If you have had sex without a condom or the condom split or have had sex with a new partner, it might be worth thinking about whether you might have been in contact with a sexually transmitted infection such as Chlamydia.

For more information about this go to the Oxme page on sexual health or the Sexual Health Clinic

Experience: ‘Everyone was friendly at the clinic’

‘On my first visit to the clinic I saw Carrie, the nurse. She was friendly and explained everything. She said she would not write to my doctor if I didn’t want her to. I didn’t have to give my name and address, but I didn’t mind because they said they wouldn’t write home. She asked a lot of questions about my health and my family to make sure that if I went on the Pill I wouldn’t have dangerous side effects. Then I saw the doctor. I was glad it was a lady doctor. She gave me the pills and told me how to take them and when. She said I could ring or come back if I had any problems. If you are thinking about going to a Sexual Health Clinic, don’t worry. Everyone is nice to you.’ – Rebecca

Emergency Contraception is not abortion

Emergency contraception may stop ovulation (releasing the egg), fertilisation of an egg (when the sperm and egg meet), or a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus (womb).

Medical research and legal judgement are quite clear that emergency contraception prevents pregnancy and is not abortion. Abortion can only take place after a fertilised egg has implanted in the uterus

To find out more about this go to the Family Planning Association.