If you’ve had unprotected sex or your contraceptive has failed, emergency contraception can help stop pregnancy within 5 days.
The are two types of emergency contraception; the emergency contraceptive pill (also known as, the morning after pill) and the IUD (copper coil).
The emergency contraceptive pill contains a progestogen hormone called Levonorgestrel and is most effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but it can be used up to 96 hours (4 days) after.
This should not be used as regular contraception.
The IUD must be fitted by a trained doctor or nurse and can be fitted within 5 days of the unprotected sex. After having this inserted you can leave it and use it as your normal method of contraception. More on the coils here.
