Emergency contraceptive pill

The emergency contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy. It does this by delaying the release of an egg from your ovary until sperm are no longer active.

The emergency contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy 96 to 99% of the time, if taken in a timely and correct way.

The emergency contraceptive pill is most effective if you take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Within 24 hours is best, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex.

It will not prevent pregnancy if taken any later than 96 hours after unprotected sex.

The emergency contraceptive pill prevents:

• 95% of expected pregnancies when taken within 24 hours
• 85% of expected pregnancies when taken within 25 to 48 hours
• 58% of expected pregnancies when taken within 49 to 72 hours.

You can take it at any point in your menstrual cycle. This includes while you are having your period.

You can take the emergency contraceptive pill if you are on a course of antibiotics.

People of any age can get the emergency contraceptive pill. You can get it from:

• your usual healthcare provider
• Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
• over the counter at some pharmacies.

You may have to pay for emergency contraception.

Some people feel sick after taking the emergency contraceptive pill. It helps to take it with food. There is medicine to help with nausea — talk to your healthcare provider or the pharmacist.

If you throw up (vomit) within 3 hours of taking the pill, you will need to take another one.

After you have taken the emergency contraceptive pill, use other protection such as condoms until your next period.

Your next period should come when you expect it, but it may be early or late. It could also be heavier than usual.

If you do not get your next period, or it is very light, you should take a pregnancy test.

Do not take the emergency contraceptive pill if you have had a positive pregnancy test. The pill will not cause an abortion if you are already pregnant.

If you take the emergency contraceptive pill and still become pregnant, there is no evidence your pēpi will be harmed.

Taking the emergency contraceptive pill will not affect your chances of getting pregnant in the future.

The emergency contraceptive pill is generally safe to take while breastfeeding. Check with your doctor, midwife or healthcare provider if you are concerned.

Another form of emergency contraception is the copper intrauterine device (IUD). This is a device that is put into your uterus (womb). A doctor or Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinic must insert this device.

The intrauterine device prevents the implantation of a possible fertilised egg.

Talk to your healthcare provider or Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinic about the IUD as soon as possible if:

• you have had unprotected sex
• you cannot take the emergency contraceptive pill.