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2 3 Emergency contraception If you have had unprotected sex, that is, sex without using contraception, or think your contraception might have failed, you can use emergency contraception. There are two methods of emergency contraception: hormonal emergency contraception (known as the emergency contraceptive pill), and the copper intrauterine device (IUD). The IUD is the most effective. uestions & Answers Does emergency contraception cause an abortion?...3 Where can I get emergency contraception?...4 Method 1: The emergency contraceptive pill...5 What is the emergency pill?...5 How do I take it?...5 How does the emergency pill work?...5 How effective is the emergency pill?...5 Who can use the emergency pill?...6 What are the side effects?...6 How will the emergency pill affect my next period?...6 Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after I ve taken the pill?...6 Can the emergency pill fail?...7 What if I vomit within two hours of taking the pill?...7 How will I know if the emergency pill has worked?...7 Are there any risks if the emergency pill fails?...8 Will the emergency pill protect me from pregnancy until my next period?...8 Can I continue to use regular contraceptive pills or the patch after the emergency pill?...8 How many times can I use the emergency pill?...9 Can someone else get the emergency pill for me?...9 If you act quickly, emergency contraception will usually prevent pregnancy. Does emergency contraception cause an abortion? No. Emergency contraception may stop ovulation, or fertilisation of an egg, or stop a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus (womb). Medical research and legal judgement are quite clear that emergency contraception (the pill or an IUD) prevents pregnancy and is not abortion. Abortion can only take place after a fertilised egg has implanted in the uterus. People who How can I buy the emergency pill from a pharmacist?...9 Can I get emergency pills in advance?...10 Method 2: The copper IUD...10 What is the copper IUD?...10 How does the IUD work?...11 How effective is a copper IUD?...11 Who can use an IUD?...11 What are the disadvantages of using an IUD for emergency contraception?...11 How is the IUD put in?...12 How will I know that the IUD is still in place?...12 When will I get my next period?...13 Are there any risks if the emergency IUD fails?...13 Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after the IUD is fitted?...13 Will the IUD protect me from pregnancy until my next period?...14 When can I have the IUD removed?...14 How do I find out about contraception services?...14 Sexually transmitted infections...15 How fpa can help you...16 A final word...16
4 5 believe life begins when the egg is fertilised may not wish to use the emergency contraception methods outlined in this leaflet. Method 1: The emergency contraceptive pill Where can I get emergency contraception? You can get the emergency pill and the emergency IUD free from: any general practice that provides contraceptive services a contraception clinic any young person s service or Brook clinic any sexual health clinic some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics. You can also get the emergency pill free from: most NHS walk-in centres (in England only) some pharmacies (there may be age restrictions) most NHS minor injuries units some hospital accident and emergency departments (phone first to check). You can buy the emergency pill from: most pharmacies if you are 16 years old or over some privately run clinics, such as bpas and Marie Stopes. The price will vary but at the pharmacy it will cost around 25. All the advice and treatment you receive is confidential wherever you receive it. What is the emergency pill? The emergency contraceptive pill is a tablet containing progestogen, a hormone which is similar to the natural progesterone women produce in their ovaries. How do I take it? You will be given one pill to take. It should be taken within three days (72 hours) of having unprotected sex. It is more effective the sooner it is taken. How does the emergency pill work? The emergency pill is most likely to stop an egg being released (ovulation) or delay ovulation. It may also stop a fertilised egg settling in your uterus (implanting). How effective is the emergency pill? It is very effective and is more effective the sooner it is taken after sex. However, it is not as effective as using, other methods of contraception regularly and does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections. Of the pregnancies that could be expected to have occurred if no emergency contraception had been used, the emergency pill will prevent: up to 95 per cent if taken within 24 hours up to 85 per cent if taken between 25 48 hours up to 58 per cent if taken between 49 72 hours. The emergency pill may be considered for use up to 120 hours after unprotected sex but it is not
6 7 known how effective it will be. An IUD is more effective at this stage (see page 10). Get advice from your doctor. your period is shorter or lighter than usual you have any sudden or unusual pain in your lower abdomen. These could be signs of an ectopic pregnancy a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. Although this is not common, it is very serious. You should also see a doctor or nurse if: you want to talk about using regular contraception you want advice about using or changing your current method of contraception you are worried that you might have caught a sexually transmitted infection. Who can use the emergency pill? Most women can use the emergency pill. This includes women who are breastfeeding and women who can t use estrogens the hormone that is used in the combined pill and the contraceptive patch. However, if you are taking certain prescribed medicines, or complementary medicines such as St John s Wort, you will need special advice and the dose of the emergency pill may need to be increased or you may need to use the copper IUD. What are the side effects? There are no serious short- or long-term effects from using the emergency pill. Some women may feel sick, dizzy or tired, or may get headaches, breast tenderness or abdominal pain. A very small number of women will vomit. It can disrupt your periods (see below). How will the emergency pill affect my next period? Your period is likely to either come on time or be a few days early or late. For some women it can be up to a week late or sometimes even later. You may have some irregular bleeding between taking the emergency pill and your next period. This can range from spotting to being quite heavy. Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after I ve taken the pill? Not usually, but do go and see a doctor or nurse if: you think you may be pregnant your next period is more than seven days late Can the emergency pill fail? The emergency pill is very effective and should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. However, in some women it fails and they become pregnant even though the pill was taken correctly. You may also become pregnant if you: delay taking the emergency pill vomit within two hours of taking the pill have had unprotected sex at another time, either since your last period or since taking the emergency pill. What if I vomit within two hours of taking the pill? Speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. They may give you another pill and a medicine to stop you vomiting again, or suggest having a copper IUD fitted (see page 10). If you vomit later than two hours, don t worry, the pill will have been absorbed. How will I know if the emergency pill has worked? If you have taken the pill correctly and your next period seems normal, it is unlikely that you will be
8 9 pregnant. After you have taken the emergency pill it is recommended that you do a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant if: you think you feel pregnant you have not had a normal period within three weeks of taking the emergency pill you do not have a bleed when you have the seven day break from using the contraceptive patch or combined pill, or when you take the placebo tablets with every day combined pills. A pregnancy test result will be accurate if the test is done from three weeks after the last time you had unprotected sex. method, such as condoms, for: seven days with the patch and the combined pill two days with the progestogen-only pill. Are there any risks if the emergency pill fails? The emergency pill has not been shown to affect a pregnancy or harm a developing baby. As with any pregnancy there is a small chance that an ectopic pregnancy may occur. If you think that you may be pregnant it is important to seek advice as soon as possible to check that you do not have an ectopic pregnancy (see page 7). Will the emergency pill protect me from pregnancy until my next period? No. The emergency pill will not protect you from pregnancy if you have unprotected sex again. Seek advice you can use emergency contraception again. Can I continue to use regular contraceptive pills or the patch after the emergency pill? Yes. If you needed emergency contraception because you forgot some of your regular pills or did not use the patch correctly, you should take a contraceptive pill again, or apply a new patch within 12 hours of taking the emergency pill. You will need to use an additional contraceptive How many times can I use the emergency pill? You can take the emergency pill as many times as you need to and more than once in any one menstrual cycle. It is not dangerous to do this but it may disrupt your periods. However, using the emergency pill is not as effective as using other methods of contraception. Speak to fpa s helpline or your doctor, nurse or pharmacist for advice on contraception. Can someone else get the emergency pill for me? You need to get the emergency pill from the doctor, nurse or pharmacist yourself. Someone else will only be given it on your behalf in exceptional circumstances. How can I buy the emergency pill from a pharmacist? If you are 16 or over, you can ask the pharmacist for the emergency pill. They will need to ask you some questions as there are some circumstances when they may not be able to sell it to you, for example: it has been more than 72 hours since you had unprotected sex you have had unprotected sex more than once in this menstrual cycle you think that you might already be pregnant you are taking certain prescribed or complementary medicines you have certain health conditions.
10 11 In these circumstances you will need to see a doctor or nurse. Can I get emergency pills in advance? Yes, if you are worried about your contraceptive method failing, you are going on holiday, or you cannot get emergency contraception easily. Ask your doctor or nurse about this. Method 2: The copper IUD What is the copper IUD? An IUD is a small plastic and copper device that is put into your uterus by a trained doctor or a nurse. It can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sex at any time in the menstrual cycle provided this is the only unprotected sex that has occurred since your last period. If you have had unprotected sex more than once since your last period then an IUD can be fitted up to five days after the earliest time you could have released an egg (ovulation). If the IUD cannot be fitted immediately you may be advised to take the emergency pill in the meantime. How does the IUD work? It may stop an egg being fertilised or implanting in your uterus. How effective is a copper IUD? The IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception. It will prevent up to 99 per cent of pregnancies expected to occur if no emergency contraception had been used. ovary uterus (womb) cervix fallopian tube vagina Who can use an IUD? Most women can use an IUD for emergency contraception. An IUD may be suitable if: you want to use the most effective method of emergency contraception you do not want to, or cannot take progestogen you want to use the IUD as an ongoing method of contraception. What are the disadvantages of using an IUD for emergency contraception? It is not as easily available as the emergency pill. Not all women can use the IUD, for example, women who have certain problems with their cervix or uterus.
12 13 There is a very small chance of getting an infection in your uterus within the first 20 days after the IUD is put in. If you have been at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection you may have screening tests done at the time the IUD is fitted and you may also be given some antibiotics. This will help to reduce the chance of getting a pelvic infection. An IUD might go through (perforate) your uterus or cervix when it is fitted. This may cause pain, but often there are no symptoms. If this happens, the IUD may need to be removed by surgery. Perforation is uncommon when the IUD is fitted by an experienced doctor or nurse. The IUD can be pushed out by your uterus (expulsion) or it can move (displacement). This is not common. top of your vagina. The doctor or nurse will teach you how to feel the threads to make sure the IUD is still in place. It is very unlikely that it will come out, but if you cannot feel the threads, or if you think you can feel the IUD itself, you may not be protected against pregnancy. See your doctor or nurse straight away and use an extra contraceptive method, such as condoms. How is the IUD put in? The doctor or nurse will first examine you internally to check the position and size of your uterus. Fitting an IUD takes about 15 20 minutes. It can be uncomfortable or painful for some women, and you might want to use pain relieving drugs beforehand or ask for a local anaesthetic. You may get a period-type pain and some light bleeding for a few days after the IUD is fitted. Pain relieving drugs can help with this. How will I know that the IUD is still in place? An IUD has one or two threads attached to the end that hang a little way down from your uterus into the When will I get my next period? Your next period should come at about the same time as you would normally expect it. If you have not had a normal period within three weeks of having the IUD fitted it s recommended that you do a pregnancy test. Are there any risks if the emergency IUD fails? The emergency IUD is highly effective. However, if it does fail and you become pregnant there is a risk that the IUD can cause a miscarriage or that an ectopic pregnancy may occur. If you know that you are pregnant or think that you might be, it is important to seek advice as soon as possible. Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after the IUD is fitted? Yes. It is recommended that you see a doctor or nurse 3 4 weeks after the IUD is fitted, whether or not you have had a period. This is to: check you are not pregnant (if you have not had a normal period) discuss any problems remove the IUD if this is what you want discuss your future contraception needs. If you are ever worried about anything to do with your IUD contact your doctor or nurse as soon as you can. You should see your doctor or nurse
14 15 straight away if you think you are pregnant or have any of the following: a sudden or unusual pain in your lower abdomen a shorter, lighter or delayed period an unusual or smelly discharge from the vagina a high temperature. These could be signs of an ectopic pregnancy or an infection, which can be serious. Will the IUD protect me from pregnancy until my next period? Yes. As soon as it s fitted it will protect you against pregnancy and it will provide ongoing contraception until it is taken out. If you want to, you can carry on using this method as your regular contraception. You can discuss this with your doctor or nurse. You will also find more information in our booklet Your guide to the IUD. When can I have the IUD removed? If you do not want to keep the IUD as your regular method of contraception, it can be removed during your next period. If removed at any other time you will need to use an additional contraceptive method, such as condoms, for seven days before the IUD is taken out. This is because sperm can live inside your body for up to seven days and could fertilise an egg once the IUD is removed. How do I find out about contraception services? Contraception is free for women and men of all ages through the National Health Service. You can find out about all sexual health services from sexual health direct, run by fpa on 0845 122 8690 or at www.fpa.org.uk. You can find details of general practices and pharmacies in England at www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk and in Wales at www.wales.nhs.uk. In Scotland you can find details of general practices at www.show.scot.nhs.uk. In England and Wales you can also call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 and in Scotland NHS 24 on 0845 4 24 24 24. In Northern Ireland call fpa s helpline on 0845 122 8687 or for details of general practices see www.n-i.nhs.uk. You can also get details of your nearest contraception, genitourinary medicine (GUM) or sexual health clinic from a telephone directory, health centre, local pharmacy, hospital, midwife, health visitor or advice centre. You can get details of GUM or sexual health clinics from the Sexual Health Line on 0800 567 123 or at www.condomessentialwear.co.uk. You can find details of young people s services from Brook on 0800 0185 023 or from Sexwise on 0800 28 29 30, or at www.ruthinking.co.uk. Sexually transmitted infections Most methods of contraception do not protect you from sexually transmitted infections. Male and female condoms, when used correctly and consistently, can help protect against sexually transmitted infections. Diaphragms and caps may also protect against some sexually transmitted infections. If you can, avoid using condoms containing Nonoxinol 9 (spermicidally lubricated), as this does not protect against HIV and may even increase the risk of infection.
How fpa can help you sexual health direct is a nationwide service run by fpa. It provides: confidential information and advice and a wide range of booklets on individual methods of contraception, common sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy choices, abortion and planning a pregnancy details of contraception, sexual health and genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics and sexual assault referral centres. fpa helplines England helpline 0845 122 8690 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday ce Northern Ireland helpline 0845 122 8687 emer 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm Friday or visit fpa s website www.fpa.org.uk A final word This booklet can only give you basic information about emergency contraception. The information in this booklet is based on evidence-guided research from the World Health Organization and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare of the Royal College of Obstetricians and c eme Gynaecologists. Different people may give you different information and advice on certain points. All methods of contraception come with a Patient Information Leafletge c which provides detailed information about the method. Remember contact your doctor, practice nurse or a contraception clinic if you are worried or unsure about anything. eme Registered charity number 250187. Supported by the Department of Health. fpa January 2009 ISBN: 190550635X emc