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Emergency contraception (morning after pill or post coital contraception) aims to prevent a pregnancy from developing either by preventing fertilisation of the egg by the sperm or by preventing implantation of a fertilised ovum into the lining of the womb.
Medical emergency contraception, typically oral tablets which are packaged specifically for this purpose, - aim to prevent fertilisation. By contrast IUD emergency contraception is designed to prevent implantation.
General information on the use of IUDs is available here.
The remainder of this page addresses medical forms of emergency contraception.
The sooner it is taken, the more effective the Emergency contraception is.
If 100 women each had sex once during the second or third week of the menstrual cycle and without using contraception then normally 8 would likely fall pregnant.
Using emergency contraception would typically reduce the pregnancy rate in this group to 1 or 2 in a 100.
Emergency contraception is safe for all women. There are no absolute medical contraindications that would stop a woman using it.
Emergency contraception can be used several times in the same month if needed. It can be safely used in conjunction with other contraception such as a failed condom or inconsistent combined or mini pill use.
Emergency contraception does not cause an abortion, it acts before implantation of the fertilised egg. It does not disrupt an already implanted pregnancy.
According to the WHO, women made the following positive comments about emergency contraception: its use can be controlled by the woman; it offers a second chance at preventing pregnancy; it reduces the need to seek out abortion in the case of contraceptive errors; and it can be kept on hand in case of emergency.
Emergency contraception can cause short term side effects.
Common side effect include changes in the bleeding pattern, there can be – slightly irregular bleeding 1-2 days after taking the medicine or a period can start earlier or later than normal. Nausea or vomiting and abdominal pain are also common side effects.
As emergency contraception can fail it is important that the woman carries out a pregnancy test if her next period is late or abnormal.
A woman who has had unprotected sex may also need to be screened for sexually transmitted infections.
Regular use of emergency contraception is not as effective at preventing pregnancy as routine contraception. All women taking emergency contraception should be given advice and offered assistance with ongoing contraception.
Emergency contraception does not cause birth defects if pregnancy occurs.