Emergency contraception

If:

  • You had sex without using any contraception
  • You did not have a condom
  • A condom burst or came off
  • You had sex after missing one or more contraceptive pills from your current pack

 

Within the last 5 days, think about emergency contraception.

 

If you’ve had unprotected sex – that is sex without contraception, or if you think contraception might have failed, you might want to get emergency contraception.

 

All Borders Sexual Health clinics provide post coital contraception or ‘the morning after pill’. This can be used up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.

 

You do not need an appointment to get emergency contraception at Borders Sexual Health clinics.

 

There are two types:

  • Hormonal emergency contraception (the emergency pill).
  • The copper IUD – a small copper and plastic device (sometimes called a ‘coil’)

 

Hormonal emergency contraception (the emergency pill)

 

This is sometimes called the ‘morning after pill’  - but you can use it up to 3 days (72 hours) after sex.

The emergency pill is more effective the sooner it is taken

 

You can get hormonal emergency contraception FREE from all of our clinics and drop-ins and at Pharmacies thoughout the Borders.

 

To find the nearest place to you use the Service Directory (link) or phone 01896 663700.

 

The copper IUD

 

This method is the most effective. It can be used up to five days after unprotected sex (as long as it is the ONLY unprotected sex since your last period).

 

You can have an IUD fitted at Borders Sexual Health clinics. You need to arrange an appointment to have this done. If you think that the IUD might be an option for you, phone to speak to one of our nurses, who will arrange to see you, or come to one of the drop-in clinics.

 

For More Information on Contraception & Emgerency Contraception please see links to FPA leafelts below:

  • "Your guide to Contraception- Helping you choose the method of contraception that is best for you":

         http://www.fpa.org.uk/media/uploads/helpandadvice/contraception-booklets/your-guide-to-contraception.pdf

 

  • "Your guide to Emergency Contraception":

http://www.fpa.org.uk/media/uploads/helpandadvice/contraception-booklets/emergency-contraception-your-guide.pdf

 

 

Documents

Leaflets on Emergency contraception in other languages, produced by the New South Wales Sexual Health unit:

  • Emergency Contraception - Chinese

     | Date created: Mon 27 Aug 2007 | File Size: 516 kb | File Time: 75 seconds @ 56 kbps

    Description: Information on Emergency Contraception translated in Chinese

  • Emergency Contraception - Japanese

     | Date created: Mon 27 Aug 2007 | File Size: 442 kb | File Time: 64 seconds @ 56 kbps

    Description: Information on Emergency Contraception translated in Japanese

  • Emergency Contraception - Thai

     | Date created: Mon 27 Aug 2007 | File Size: 515 kb | File Time: 75 seconds @ 56 kbps

    Description: Information on Emergency Contraception translated in Thai

  • Emergency Contraception - Latvian

     | Date created: Mon 27 Aug 2007 | File Size: 221 kb | File Time: 32 seconds @ 56 kbps

    Description: Information on Emergency Contraception translated in Latvian

  • Emergency Contraception - Polish

     | Date created: Mon 27 Aug 2007 | File Size: 210 kb | File Time: 30 seconds @ 56 kbps

    Description: Information on Emergency Contraception translated in Polish

  • Emergency Contraception - Spanish

     | Date created: Mon 27 Aug 2007 | File Size: 147 kb | File Time: 21 seconds @ 56 kbps

    Description: Information on Emergency Contraception translated in Spanish