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What is the emergency contraceptive pill?
- The emergency contraceptive pill is a pill you can take after condomless vaginal sex to prevent pregnancy.
- You can take an emergency pill up to 5 days after sex.
- It has a better chance of preventing pregnancy the sooner after sex it’s taken.
- Emergency pills are available for free from SHL, many pharmacies, NHS sexual health clinics and GP surgeries.
- An emergency copper IUD (coil) is more effective at preventing pregnancy than emergency pills.
Is an emergency contraceptive pill the same as the morning after pill?
Yes. At SHL we don’t use the term ‘morning after pill’. That’s because you can use a UPA emergency pill up to 5 days after sex and a levonorgestrel emergency pill up to 3 days after sex.
How does an emergency contraceptive pill work?
An emergency contraceptive pill stops or delays an egg from being released (ovulation).
If there's a chance you've ovulated in the last few days, you may still be offered a pill. You may also be advised to have an emergency copper IUD (coil) fitted.
When to use an emergency contraceptive pill?
It’s best to take an emergency contraceptive pill as soon as possible after sex. This gives it the best chance to delay the release of an egg.
But it’s still worth taking it any time up to 72 hours later (levonorgestrel) or 120 hours later (UPA).
Different types of emergency contraceptive pill
There are 2 types of emergency contraceptive pill.
Levonorgestrel / Levonelle
- Levonorgestrel, sometimes called Levonelle, is a single pill.
- You take it up to 72 hours after condomless vaginal sex.
- It contains levonorgestrel. This is similar to the natural hormone progesterone made by the ovaries.
Ulipristal acetate (UPA) / ellaOne
- EllaOne, sometimes called ulipristal acetate or UPA is a single pill.
- You take it up to 120 hours (5 days) after condomless vaginal sex.
- UPA is sometimes called an anti-progesterone. It temporarily stops the body’s natural hormone progesterone from doing its job.
- If you’re taking contraception or other medication with progestogen, this may reduce the effectiveness of UPA. You may be advised to use a levonorgestrel pill or get an emergency (copper coil) instead.
How effective is an emergency contraceptive pill?
An emergency contraceptive pill is not 100% effective. Some people who take the pill correctly will still get pregnant.
A pill is more effective the sooner it’s taken after sex. Because it delays or stops you ovulating (releasing an egg) it won’t work if you’ve already ovulated.
A clinical consultation should check which types of emergency contraception are right for you. The emergency copper IUD (coil) is always more effective than the emergency pill.
Are there any side effects or risks from emergency contraceptive pills?
- Neither type of emergency contraceptive pill has any serious or long-term side effects.
- Some people get a headache or feel sick.
- Your next period may be earlier, later or heavier than usual.
Things to know about the emergency contraceptive pill
- If you’re sick (vomit) within 3 hours of taking an emergency contraception pill, it may not work. Contact your emergency contraception provider as soon as possible. They may recommend another dose or advise you to have an emergency copper IUD (coil) fitted.
- An emergency pill will not continue to protect you from pregnancy. If you have vaginal sex without a condom, you’ll be at risk of pregnancy again.
- You can take an emergency pill more than once in the same menstrual cycle. Emergency contraceptive pills are not meant for frequent use though. If you often need emergency contraception, consider which routine contraception might suit you.
- Emergency contraception does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Emergency contraceptive pills are not 100% effective. Consider taking a pregnancy test 3 weeks after sex, particularly if your next period is lighter or shorter than usual or doesn’t arrive.
- Emergency contraception doesn’t work if you’re already pregnant. Taking it will not harm or end a pregnancy.
Where can I get emergency contraceptive pills?
Free emergency pills online from SHL
If you’re 16 or over and your London borough is part of our contraception service you can order free emergency pills from SHL.
2. Take our online consultation.
3. If the emergency pill is right for you, you can choose to collect it from a convenient pharmacy. We may also be able to post it to you with next-day delivery.
If you often need emergency contraception, we may signpost you to other services for support with regular contraception.
Free emergency contraceptive pills from London health services
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill for free from these places, even if you’re under 16:
- All London sexual health clinics
- Many London pharmacies
- Most GP surgeries (if you’re registered with them)
- Many young people’s services
- Some NHS walk-in centres
- Some NHS urgent care centres or minor injuries units
You can call NHS 111 or use NHS 111 online to find places to get emergency contraception near you.
Buy emergency contraceptive pills
- You can buy an emergency contraceptive pill from many online and high street pharmacies.
- It can cost between £6 and £30 depending on the type and brand of pill and any delivery charges.
- You still need to have a consultation to check the pill is right for you.
Is an emergency contraceptive pill right for me?
If you’ve had unprotected vaginal sex and you don’t want to get pregnant, an emergency pill is a quick and easy way to lower your chance of pregnancy.
Your chance of getting pregnant is highest around the time that you ovulate (release an egg). But ovulation can be unpredictable and sperm can sometimes survive in the body for up to a week after sex! So there’s a chance of getting pregnant at any time in your menstrual cycle – even when you’re on your period.
Most people can take an emergency pill without any side effects.
An emergency pill will not have any long-term effect on your fertility. It will simply delay or stop you ovulating during your current menstrual cycle.
An emergency contraception pill will not give you any ongoing protection from pregnancy. Consider which regular contraception methods could suit you.
Other emergency contraception options
- An emergency copper IUD (coil) can be fitted up to 5 days after sex or up to 5 days after your estimated ovulation date (when you release an egg).
- It’s very effective at preventing pregnancy.
- You may be able to get an emergency IUD even if it’s too late to use a pill.
- It can be fitted by a healthcare professional at a sexual health clinic or some GP surgeries.
Contraception Services
Protect yourself. Get free regular contraceptives and emergency contraceptives.
Access SHL contraception services today
Helpful links
- Emergency contraception - NHS
- Emergency Contraception | Contraception Choices
- Emergency Contraception: How The Morning After Pill Works - Brook
Sources
CoSRH Clinical Guideline: Emergency Contraception (March 2017, amended April 2026)
