You can get the emergency contraceptive pill for free from:
Emergency contraception can be used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy soon after having unprotected sex. It’s widely known as the morning after pill but it can actually be used up to 5 days after sex.
Emergency contraception doesn’t prevent you from getting an STI- if you’ve had unprotected sex you should think about having an STI test.
There are three types of emergency contraception. The emergency contraceptive pills Levonelle and ellaOne and the emergency intrauterine device (IUD).
This is the most widely known form of emergency contraception called the pill or the morning after pill. You can take it up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex. But it is more effective the sooner you take it.
This is a new emergency contraceptive pill that can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
It’s only available on prescription so it’s not easy to get hold of. You will need to contact your local sexual health clinic or GP to see if it is available.
This is sometimes called the coil. It’s a small piece of plastic and copper shaped like a ‘T’ that is inserted into the uterus through the vagina. It can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
The emergency IUD has to be fitted by a specially trained doctor or nurse. Not every GP surgery or sexual health clinic fits IUDs so it’s worth phoning ahead to check.
Published on 17/08/2012
Last modified on 27/02/2013
© 2010 Young Scot Enterprise and its suppliers. All rights reserved.