Woman checking calendar with medication pack.

What You Need to Know

Emergency Contraception

If you’ve had unprotected sex or think your contraception may have failed, there are still options available to help prevent an unplanned pregnancy — but it’s important to act quickly, as emergency contraception is most effective when used as soon as possible.

Emergency Contraceptive Pill (Morning After Pill)

Despite the name, the emergency contraceptive pill can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex, depending on the type. However, it’s most effective the sooner you take it.

You can get the morning after pill from:

  • Your pharmacist – after a confidential consultation (subject to eligibility and pharmacist availability). Some pharmacies are open late, even until midnight, Monday to Saturday.
  • Your GP or family planning clinic
Blister packs of pills on fabric surface.

Please Note: Emergency contraception does not provide protection for future sex. Make sure to use a regular form of contraception moving forward.

Copper IUD on a pink background.

Emergency IUD (Copper Coil)

The emergency IUD (intrauterine device) is the most effective form of emergency contraception. It can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sex and works by preventing fertilisation or implantation.

  • Visit your GP, practice nurse, or a sexual health clinic to arrange fitting.
  • You can choose to keep the IUD in place for long-term contraception, or have it removed once you're ready.

Less than 1% of women become pregnant after having an emergency IUD fitted.

What to Do After Using Emergency Contraception

  • If your period is more than five days late, is lighter or heavier than usual, or you’re concerned you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test.
  • If the test is positive, speak to your GP as soon as possible.

If you didn’t use a condom, or it failed during sex, you may also be at risk of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). For peace of mind:

  • Visit a sexual health clinic for an STI check-up
  • Speak to your GP or pharmacist for further advice
Hands holding a blister pack of pills.
Person holding blister pack of pills.

Quick Summary: Next Steps

  • The emergency pill can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but it’s most effective when taken sooner – don’t delay.
  • If you didn’t use a condom or experienced a condom failure, consider visiting a sexual health clinic for an STI test.