Emergency Contraception

If you have had unprotected sex or contraception failure, e.g. condom burst or missed contraceptive pill and you are worried about an unintended pregnancy, emergency contraception is available and its purpose is to prevent pregnancy. Unprotected sex also carries the risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), please contact the appointment line for advice and support on 0300 303 0251 (line open: Monday – Thursday: 8am–4:45pm and Friday: 8am–3:45pm. Out with these times, or if lines are busy and you can’t get through, NHS24 can support you by calling 111.

The copper intrauterine device (IUD), also known as the coil, is the most effective form of emergency contraception. It is 10 times more effective than any morning after pill and can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse. It should be left in place until your next period but can be left in as a long term method of contraception. The emergency IUD can be inserted at the sexual health clinic.

Alternative oral emergency contraception can be sourced at any pharmacy or at the sexual health clinic. These are less effective than the IUD and work by delaying ovulation. This means that they are ineffective if taken after the point in your cycle that an egg has been released. There are 2 types of oral emergency contraception – levonelle and ellaOne. Levonelle can be used up to 72 hours after intercourse and ellaOne up to 120 hours after intercourse. The most suitable one for you can be discussed at the pharmacy or clinic.

Pregnancy can be excluded 3 weeks after unprotected intercourse by doing a pregnancy test. If you do become pregnant and have taken emergency contraception, there is no evidence it affects an ongoing pregnancy.

Emergency contraception is available at all community pharmacies in Lanarkshire. We recommend that you phone your preferred pharmacy before attending to ensure that a pharmacist will be on site who can prescribe the emergency contraception that you require.

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