If you’ve had sex without using contraception (unprotected sex) or think your contraception might have failed, emergency contraception can reduce your risk of getting pregnant.
There are different types of emergency contraception:
Emergency contraception can be very effective, but it’s not as effective as using other methods of contraception regularly.
The emergency IUD (copper coil) is the most effective emergency contraception because it can stop an egg being fertilised or stop a fertilised egg implanting in the uterus (womb).
An emergency contraceptive pill works by delaying ovulation (release of an egg), so it needs to be taken as soon as possible after sex to have the best chance of working. It won’t work if you’ve already ovulated. Some people will get pregnant even when they take emergency pills correctly.
You don’t need to use emergency contraception if it’s earlier than 21 days since you gave birth. For more information about contraception after giving birth, see the Family Planning Association’s guide to contraceptive choices after a baby.
No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It may stop ovulation (releasing an egg), stop an egg being fertilised, or stop a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus (womb).
Abortion ends a pregnancy and can only take place after a fertilised egg has implanted in the uterus.
You can get emergency contraception free from these places, but they may not all fit the IUD, which is the most effective kind of emergency contraception.
You can also get emergency pills free from these places:
You can buy both types of emergency pill from:
You can buy both types of emergency pill from most pharmacies. It will cost around £10 to £35.
You’ll be asked some questions to check if the pill is right for you. Your answers are confidential. The pharmacist may not be able to sell it to you, for example if:
In these circumstances you’ll need to see a doctor or nurse.
All advice and treatment is confidential, wherever you receive it.
Do a pregnancy test to make sure you’re not pregnant if:
A pregnancy test will be accurate if the test is done 3 weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex.
You can continue to use the copper IUD as your regular contraceptive method if you want to. It will be highly effective at preventing pregnancy.
The emergency contraceptive pill won’t continue to protect you from pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex again, you’re at risk of pregnancy. Seek advice – you may need emergency contraception again.
You can take the same type of emergency pill more than once in any menstrual cycle if you need to, but it may not be possible to take a different type of pill in the same cycle.
Emergency contraceptive pills aren’t as effective as using other methods of contraception regularly.
It’s important to start an effective method of contraception after using the emergency contraceptive pill. Ask the doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice on effective methods.
Also see the Family Planning Association’s guide to contraception here.
The Sexual Health Helpline gives confidential advice and information on sexual health - including contraception.
The number is 0300 123 7123. It's open Monday to Friday from 9am to 8pm and at weekends from 11am to 4pm.
You can also find our full range of Family Planning Association's patient information guides here.
Find details of sexual health clinics and services, GP surgeries and pharmacies on these websites:
Most methods of contraception don't protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Condoms and internal condoms (also known as female condoms), used correctly and consistently, can help protect against STIs.
Try to avoid using condoms that are lubricated with spermicide. Most spermicides have a chemical called nonoxinol-9, which may irritate the skin and increase the risk of HIV and other infections. Regular lubricated condoms are fine.
For more details see our sexually transmitted infection guides here.
A small plastic and copper device that’s fitted in your uterus (womb) up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex or within 5 days of the earliest time you could have released an egg.
Your appointment will last around 20 to 30 minutes. Inserting the IUD usually takes around 5 minutes. It can be uncomfortable or painful for some people, and you may be offered a local anaesthetic. See our guide to the copper IUD for more information.
The copper IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception. If it can’t be fitted immediately you may be advised to take an emergency contraceptive pill in the meantime.
Most people can use an emergency IUD, including young people and people who’ve never been pregnant.
It can be fitted from 28 days after giving birth. If you need to, you can use an emergency pill from 21 days after giving birth. If you’re breastfeeding, you can continue feeding as usual when the IUD is in place.
You can use an emergency IUD from day 5 after a miscarriage or abortion if there were no complications. If you had complications, ask a doctor or nurse for advice.
Some people may get a period-type pain and bleeding for a few days after the fitting. Painkillers can help.
There’s a very small chance of getting an infection during the first few weeks after it’s fitted. If you already have an infection you may be given antibiotics.
The IUD can be pushed out of the uterus (womb) into the vagina or it can move inside the womb.
There’s a very small chance that when it’s fitted it might perforate (go through) the side of your womb or cervix. See our guide to the copper IUD for more information.
Your next period should come at about the same time you’d normally expect it. It might be heavier than usual.
If you don’t have a period within about a week of the expected time, do a pregnancy test.
Yes. See a doctor or nurse 3 to 4 weeks after the IUD is fitted. This is to:
The emergency IUD can be removed during your next period. If removed at any other time, you’ll need to avoid sex or use additional contraception, such as condoms, for 7 days before it’s taken out.
About 1 in 1,000 women will become pregnant after having an emergency IUD fitted.
If you can’t feel the IUD threads at your cervix (neck of the womb, at the top of your vagina) or you can feel the IUD itself, you may not be protected from pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight away and use additional contraception.
The IUD is very effective but if it fails and you become pregnant, it’s important to check that this isn’t an ectopic pregnancy. If you have any unexpected bleeding or a sudden or unusual pain in your lower abdomen, seek advice as soon as possible.
You can keep the copper IUD as your regular method of contraception if you want to. Read the Family Planning Association’s guide to the copper IUD (copper coil) here.
If you want to go back to using your usual contraception, or to start using a different method, speak to a doctor or nurse about having the IUD removed.
See the Family Planning Association’s guide to the copper IUD (copper coil) here.
A tablet which contains the active ingredient ulipristal acetate (UPA). It can be more effective at preventing pregnancy than a pill with levonorgestrel.
You’ll be given 1 pill to take. It should be taken within 5 days (120 hours) of having unprotected sex, but try and take it as soon as possible.
Most people can use pills with UPA. If you have severe asthma or take certain prescribed medicines or complementary medicines, an emergency IUD may be a preferred option.
If you used hormonal contraception in the week before you use UPA, UPA might be less effective.
UPA can be used from day 21 after giving birth. If you’re breastfeeding, you can continue feeding as usual.
You can use it from day 5 after a miscarriage or abortion.
There are no serious short- or long-term side effects.
Most side effects go away within a few days.
Your period may be on time, or a few days earlier or later than expected. Sometimes it can be a week late and sometimes even later.
If you don’t have a period within about a week of the expected time, do a pregnancy test.
See a doctor or nurse if:
Some people get pregnant even though they took UPA correctly.
Because UPA delays ovulation, it won’t work if you’ve already ovulated.
You may also become pregnant if you vomit within 3 hours of taking it or have further unprotected sex. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. They may give you another dose or suggest an emergency IUD. If you vomit later than 3 hours, UPA will have been absorbed.
If you’re thinking about using emergency contraception because you’ve made a mistake with your usual hormonal contraception, get advice from a doctor, nurse or pharmacist about:
If you weren’t using any hormonal contraception before taking UPA, wait for 5 days before starting any regular hormonal contraception. Use condoms during the wait and until the new contraception is working.
A tablet which contains a hormone called levonorgestrel. This is a type of progestogen hormone, similar to the natural progesterone made by the ovaries.
You’ll be given 1 pill to take. It should be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of having unprotected sex but try and take it as soon as possible.
Ask your doctor for advice about taking it within 4 days (96 hours) of having unprotected sex.
Most people can use pills with levonorgestrel. However, if you’re taking certain prescribed medicines, complementary medicines, weigh more than 70kg, or have a BMI (body mass index) higher than 26, you’ll need advice and the dose of levonorgestrel may need to be increased.
Levonorgestrel can be used from day 21 after giving birth. If you’re breastfeeding, you can continue feeding as usual.
You can use it from day 5 after a miscarriage or abortion.
There are no serious short- or long-term side effects.
Most side effects go away within a few days.
Your period is likely to come on time or a few days early or late. Sometimes it can be a week late and sometimes even later.
If you don’t have a period within about a week of the expected time, do a pregnancy test.
See a doctor or nurse if:
Some people get pregnant even though they took levonorgestrel correctly.
Because levonorgestrel delays ovulation, it won’t work if you’ve already ovulated.
You may also become pregnant if you delay taking it, vomit within 3 hours of taking it or have further unprotected sex. Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. They may give you another dose or suggest an emergency IUD.
If you vomit later than 3 hours, levonorgestrel will have been absorbed.
If you forgot your regular pill or didn’t use the patch or vaginal ring correctly, then start your pill again, insert a new ring or apply a new patch as soon as possible after taking levonorgestrel.
If you weren’t using any hormonal contraception before taking levonorgestrel, you can start most kinds straight away. Speak to a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Use additional contraception, such as condoms:
This guide can only give you general information. The information is based on evidence-guided research from The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, and the World Health Organization.
All methods of contraception come with a detailed patient information guide.
Contact your healthcare professional or a sexual health clinic if you are worried or unsure about anything.
This guide was accurate at the time of writing. Guides are reviewed regularly.
Last complete review: November 2022, last clinical update: April 2025, next review scheduled: November 2025.
If you’d like information on the evidence used to produce this guide or would like to give feedback, email fpadirect@fpa.org.uk.
This guide is available under licence. To copy, share or reproduce any information from this guide you need prior written consent from the FPA.
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