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Emergency Pill

The emergency pill is a form of birth control for women who have had unprotected sex. It is very useful if your regular birth control fails (ie. the condom breaks during sex), if you forget to take your ordinary birth control pill or if you have had unprotected sexual intercourse.

There are 2 types of emergency contraception:

  • A special birth control pill containing progestogen, or
  • An intrauterine coil device (also called an IUCD) which is placed in your uterus/womb. (Refer to IUCD information page).

The emergency pill is sometimes called the "morning-after pill." You can have it within 3 days of having unprotected sex. The emergency pill is not as effective as using other methods of contraception and becomes more effective the sooner it is taken after sex.

Therefore we recommend you take it as soon as possible and before 3 days after any unprotected sex. Studies show that if people that the emergency pill

  • within 24 hours, then up to 95% of pregnancies will be prevented
  • within 25-48 hours, then up to 85% of pregnancies will be prevented
  • within 49-72 hours, then up to 58% of pregnancies will be prevented

Side effects include nausea and vomiting. If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the emergency pill, ring you doctor or a nurse here at 132 Harley St because you may need another dose.

Unlike like barrier methods of contraception, such as condoms, the emergency pill does not protect you from getting sexually transmitted infections. You should always use a condom during sexual intercourse to stop you from catching an infection.

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