If you have had sex without using contraception or if your method might have failed there are two emergency methods available. Both are free and can prevent unplanned pregnancy. The two types of emergency contraception are a high dose contraceptive (or more recently - a lower dose hormone pill) or a plastic device called a coil (IUCD) that can be put into the womb by one of the doctors.

Your risk of pregnancy

It takes few sperm to fertilise an egg that can settle in the womb and start a pregnancy. Sperm from the man's semen can live for up to six days in the mucus at the neck of the womb. In contrast, when a women releases an egg from her ovary, it is washed out of her body within 24 to 48 hours. Most women release an egg around day 14 in an average 28 day cycle (the first day of bleeding is day 1). For slightly longer cycles women produce an egg about 14 days before the start of their next period.

If you have a regular cycle you can use this to predict whether emergency contraception is required. It is exceedingly unlikely that you can become pregnant in the few days that you are bleeding at the beginning of your cycle. In addition, it is unlikely that you are fertile in the week before your period starts.

Another clue to your fertility is the quality of the mucus in the vagina and at the neck of the womb. If it is white and tacky, like yoghurt then you are not fertile; sperm die quickly in this mucus. If the mucus is wet and stringy like egg-white you are in a fertile phase of your cycle. If you have any doubt regarding your fertility, err on the side of caution and seek advice from one of our nurses or doctors.

The pill

This type of emergency contraception must be started within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The common name of "morning after pill" is, therefore, somewhat misleading as you have plenty of time to start the pill. Although the emergency contraception pill should be started within 72 hours, the treatment is more likely to prevent pregnancy the earlier it is taken, so if possible see the doctor within 24 hours. Although not licensed for use after 72 hours, if using the alternative method (the coil) is unacceptable, you may still derive some benefit from using the emergency contraception pill between 72 and 96 hours after sex, although the effectiveness will be compromised.

Two special doses of a high dose contraceptive pill are taken exactly 12 hours apart. Don't start this in the afternoon as you may forget to wake up in the middle of the night for the second dose; there is usually plenty of time to take the pills with a more convenient schedule.

Side effects of the pill method

After using the pill method, your next period may come slightly earlier or slightly later than expected. About 30% of women feel nauseated when they take this pill. This is not a problem unless you are vomiting within 3 hours of taking the pills.

This method is 95-99% effective, but should you become pregnant it will not harm the developing baby. The treatment is not designed for regular use, so make sure that you have an alternative, effective method of contraception. Talk to the nurse or doctor about this, and come for a check up 3-4 weeks after treatment.

The coil

The coil is a small plastic T shaped device that sits snugly in the womb preventing any fertilised egg from lodging there and starting a pregnancy. Providing it is inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex it will prevent pregnancy. If your cycle is regular, it can also be put in up to 5 days after your predicted day of ovulation. It is almost 100% effective and can be left in for continued contraception.

Side effects of the coil

Some women find that their periods are heavier when they have a coil fitted and it sometimes causes discomfort in the womb. If so, it can easily be removed, usually when you have your next period.

How to get emergency contraception

Please make an appointment during normal surgery hours to come and see either our practice nurse or one of the doctors if you need emergency contraception. Out of hours care is provided by Harmoni which is run by local General Practitioners who will be able to give you equivalent help.