Emergency Contrception

If you had unprotected sex or your current method may have failed you need to act quickly and obtain emergency contraception.

Emergency Contraception can be obtained from the following places

• Your own Doctor, but you will need to be seen urgently
• Family Planning Clinic
• Young People's Health Centre or Brook Advisory
• Sexual Health Clinic
• NHS Walk In Centres
• Accident & Emergency Centres
• Pharmacies, but you may have to pay as not all pharmacies can issue it free. If you are under 16 years the pharmacist may not be able to issue emergency contraception.

Click here for a list in the Bolton area

Emergency Progesterone Only Pills

Need to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Need to be taken in the first 24 hours, the longer you leave it the higher the failure rate. Not as reliable as the regular pills.

How do they work?

Depending on where you are in your cycle they may:

• Stop an egg being released from your ovary
• Slow down the egg in your fallopian tube
• Try to stop the egg embedding into your uterus

What information will I need to give in order to obtain the emergency pills?

You will need to know the date of the 1st day of your last period
Whether this period was a normal period for you, or was it lighter
How often our periods occur
If you have had any other episodes of unprotected sex in this cycle, besides the one you are attending for.
You will need to tell the staff if you are taking any medication, what illnesses you have had in the past or being treated for at the moment.

What are the disadvantages?

There are no serious short or long-term side effects. Although there is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. Occasionally you may experience headaches, breast tenderness, feel sick or vomit after taking the medication.

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking pills, go back to the place where you were issued with your medication and they may issue you further supplies or may suggest having a copper coil fitted if the time factor is over 72 hours.

Do I need to return after taking the pills?

You need to return to the place when you were issued with your medication, especially if you do not get a period within 3 weeks, or:
Your period is shorter or lighter than normal
You are worried you may be pregnant
If you develop lower abdominal pain, this may indicate you have a pregnancy in your fallopian tube, and need urgent medical advice.
You will need to discuss your future contraception

Will emergency pills effect my baby if I become pregnant?

They have not been shown to affect the unborn baby.