Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill)
Don’t panic, if, for whatever reason, you think you might have had unprotected sex!!
As long as it was in the last 72hrs (3days) you can still access emergency contraception. However, it is important to remember that you should take it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after the unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is, and it gets less effective the closer you get to the 72 hour mark. It works best in the first 24 hours. It is probably also advisable to get a sexual health check to make sure you haven’t picked up an STI.
Since Febuary 2011 emergency contraceptive pills are available directly from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription.
If you have had sex and did not use contraception, or if you think your contraception did not work you can use emergency contraception. If you act quickly, and take the medication as prescribed, emergency contraception will usually prevent pregnancy.
Also known as post-coital contraception it is available in two forms
- emergency contraception pills (ECPs)
- insertion of an IUCD
Remember if you have had unprotected sex it is possible that you may have contracted a Sexually Transmitted Infection. Some STIs are painful, some lead to infertility and while most are treatable some like HIV/AIDS have no cure and are potentially fatal.
Emergency Contraception will not stop you from getting an STI or treat you if you have one so if you are worried speak to your GP or family planning clinic about how testing and if necessary treatment.
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