Emergency contraception

Up to three days: emergency contraceptive pill

Description: also known (incorrectly) as the 'morning after pill', it must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, the sooner the better. The pill works by stopping an egg from being released, stopping the sperm from reaching an egg, or preventing a fertilised egg from settling in the uterus.

Availability: free from GPs and family planning clinics. Also available from Marie Stopes International centres and some pharmacies privately. At Marie Stopes International we offer emergency contraception in advance just in case you ever have an accident. Call us 0845 300 80 90 to find out more.

Effectiveness: 95% within 12 hours after unprotected sex, 54% effective if taken 72 hours after unprotected sex.

Up to five days: intrauterine device (IUD) (Coil)

If you have left it too late for the emergency contraceptive pill then you can still have an IUD, also known as a coil, fitted up to five days after unprotected sex, to prevent pregnancy occurring.

The IUD works by stopping an egg from being fertilised or implanted in the uterus and can be left in as a form of regular contraception or removed after a normal period.

Effectiveness: 98%-99%.

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