Emergency Contraception
If you’ve had unprotected sex and you’re worried about being pregnant, or you think that you may not have been taking your contraceptive pill properly, then you need to take emergency contraception as soon as possible.
Remember, emergency contraception is not 100% effective, but the sooner you take it – the more likely it is to work.
There are two different 'morning after pills'. One is called Levonelle (effective up to 72 hours after unprotected sex) and one is Ella One (effective up to 120 hours after unprotected sex).
What is an emergency IUD?
An emergency IUD is a small plastic and copper device that is fitted in your uterus up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex or within five days of the earliest time you could have released an egg. It takes about 15–20 minutes to fit. It can be uncomfortable and you can ask for a local anaesthetic. It is the most effective emergency contraceptive and is nearly 100% effective. We should be able to organise this for you or try and make an appointment for you to have this done somewhere else if we can't fit you in.
If you can’t wait until the clinic on Tuesdays, then these are some other places you can go to for help :
• your GP may be able to fit you in for an appointment, or even prescribe emergency contraception over the phone. If you can't get an appointment with your own GP and you are under 18, then we may be able to help, even if it's not on a Tuesday afternoon. Just give us a call.
• GP 'Out of Hours' service - NHS 111 (call 111 - available 24/7)
• many pharmacies give emergency contraception for free - a list is on www.eastsussexsexualhealth.co.uk
For more information on emergency contraception, visit the FPA (Family Planning Association) website: www.fpa.org.uk
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