Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your contraceptive method has failed – for example, a condom has split or you’ve missed a pill.
There are two types:
- The EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL – Levonelle or ellaOne (sometimes called the morning after pill) You need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 3 days (Levonelle) or 5 days (ellaOne) of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the more effective it’ll be.
- The IUCD (intrauterine device, or coil) The IUCD can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated, for it to be effective.
The IUCD is more effective than the contraceptive pill at preventing pregnancy – less than 1% of women who use the IUCD get pregnant.
To find your local sexual health service provider:
NHS 111 Wales – Search Results
Other options for accessing emergency contraception are community pharmacies – please check with the pharmacy before attending as there needs to be a trained pharmacist on duty to provide emergency contraception and they will be able to advise:
Community Pharmacy:
NHS 111 Wales – Search Results
Aneurin Bevan University Health Board:
Emergency Contraception – Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board:
Flintshire and Wrexham:
Wrexham and Flintshire – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Conwy and Denbighshire:
Conwy and Denbighshire – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Gwynedd and Anglesey:
Gwynedd and Anglesey – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Cardiff & the Vale University Health Board:
Emergency contraception – Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board:
Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health – Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Hywel Dda University Health Board:
Emergency contraception (morning after pill) – Hywel Dda University Health Board (nhs.wales)
Powys Teaching Health Board:
Sexual Health – Powys Teaching Health Board (nhs.wales)
Swansea Bay:
Sexual Health Services – Swansea Bay University Health Board (nhs.wales)