Emergency contraception
Sometimes people have already had unprotected sex and are worried that they may be pregnant. Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy after sex. This might be considered if no contraception has been used, a condom has broken or if a woman has been sexually assaulted. Remember that emergency contraception doesn’t help prevent sexually transmissible infections.
How does it work?
The emergency contraceptive pill contains special doses of female hormones (progestogen and possibly oestrogen) and can prevent pregnancy in a couple of ways.
- If ovulation has not already occurred, it can delay ovulation - this means a delay in the egg being released from the ovary, so fertilisation by the sperm can’t occur.
- If an egg has already been released and fertilised by sperm, the pill can prevent the fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus. This means a pregnancy cannot develop.
Emergency contraception used to be called the "morning after pill" but this is no longer used as it is misleading. The words "morning after" implies that it can only be taken the morning after unprotected sex. This is wrong! To be effective, emergency contraception should be started within 72 hours of unprotected sex and preferably within 24 hours. Emergency contraception is available as a single pack or a two pill pack, which should be taken all at once. It is very important you take all the tablets. Any woman can take emergency contraception, even those who cannot take other oral contraceptive pills.
Watch an animated movie about emergency contraception.
Is it always successful?
The risk of becoming pregnant after taking emergency contraception is between one and three per cent. That is, for every 100 women who use emergency contraception after unprotected sex, between one and three will become pregnant. Emergency contraception is more reliable if it is taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex.
Side effects
Side effects are minimal but may include nausea and vomiting. The timing of your next period could also change.
How to get it
Emergency contraception can be bought across the counter at your local pharmacist/chemist or can be accessed through your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic.
If you are having sex, then it is a good idea to ask your local doctor, family planning clinic or sexual health clinic about reliable ongoing contraceptive methods and how to have safe sex rather than having to rely on emergency contraception.
More info
- Find out more about safe sex.
- Find out more about emergency contraception by visiting the Family Planning Queensland website.