Emergency contraception is a special dose of oral contraceptive pills. If you did not use contraception during sex, or perhaps used a condom but it broke, you need to take emergency contraception to reduce the chance of pregnancy. Sometimes it is called the 'morning after pill' but that can be misleading because it can actually be effective if you take it several days afterwards, not just the 'morning after'.

How does it work?

Emergency contraception can work in two ways:

1. It can delay ovulation (the release of an egg from a woman's ovaries).
2. If ovulation has already taken place, it can stop a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb (or uterus).

You should keep on using other contraception, e.g. the Pill or condoms, for the rest of your menstrual cycle until your next period. This is in case you ovulate AFTER taking emergency contraception - without continual protection you could still become pregnant.

How do you take it and are there any side effects?

Remember that all types of emergency contraception are more effective the sooner they are started after unprotected sex. If you have unprotected sex and you don't want to get pregnant, you need to take the first dose of emergency pills within 120 hours (five days), but it is more effective the earlier you take it. There are several types of emergency pills that can be used.

You can safely use any of these methods more than once in a menstrual cycle.

Emergency contraception is available over the counter at pharmacies throughout Australia. These pre-packaged emergency pills, called Postinor-2, have two single tablets and cost around $30 for the pack. Each tablet contains progestogen, which is one of the hormones found in oral contraceptive pills ("The Pill"). It is recommended that you take one of these tablets as soon as possible after unprotected sex and one exactly 12 hours later. So if you take the first one at 11am, you take the second one at 11pm. If it is really inconvenient for you to take them 12 hours apart, then you can take them at the same time which current research suggests can work just as well.

Pharmacists are required to counsel anyone who wants to purchase emergency contraception. They will give you some written information and ask a few questions. This will include asking you about other medication you are taking which could interfere with the effects of emergency contraception.

Is it true that there is also a method of emergency contraception that involves taking 50 pills?

Yes it is true. By using minipills instead, your health practitioner can also make up the same dosage of hormones in the pre-packaged emergency pill. These are the kind of contraceptive pills that some women use while they are breastfeeding. Because each of these pills has such a low dose of hormone in it, to get the correct amount you need to take 25 minipills as soon as possible after unprotected sex, and then another 25 exactly 12 hours later. The doctor or nurse might suggest this method to you, even though it is harder to take so many pills, because it can be cheaper than using Postinor-2.

There can be some side effects with emergency contraception, but nothing serious. You may feel a little sick after taking it, but if you throw up, seek advice from a health practitioner or pharmacist immediately.

If you are very worried about taking emergency contraception, it may help to speak to a counsellor or to a sexual health nurse who can talk you through it beforehand. You can find someone to speak to at a family planning centre or a women's health centre. To speak to a nurse over the phone, call FP NSW Healthline (see number below).

When to expect your period

After taking emergency contraception, most women have a period at about the expected time. If your period is more than a week late, or if you have any other concerns, contact your health practitioner or a family planning centre for advice.

Protect yourself

Emergency contraception is best for emergencies only. It is not meant to be used as a regular form of contraception. Also, it does not protect you against STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). So, if you do not have a regular method of contraception, talk to a health practitioner to find out what might suit you best.

Whatever method you choose, you may want to use condoms as well, because they will help to protect you against STIs. If you have used emergency contraception because a condom has broken, ask about the best ways to prevent this from happening again. If you have used emergency contraception you may still need to arrange to have a test for STIs. If you are concerned, talk to your health practitioner, Sexual Health Clinic or family planning centre.

Seek support from someone you can trust

Even if you regularly use contraception, accidents can happen. If you do need emergency contraception or if you do fall pregnant, you might like your partner or a friend or parent to go with you to the health practitioner or to the pharmacy for support. These situations can be stressful and it can be helpful to have someone else supporting you through the experience.

If you still feel anxious or depressed afterwards, it might help to see a counsellor to talk through your feelings.

Where do you get it?

• pharmacies/chemists
• hospitals
• family planning centres
• women's health centres
• sexual health centres

If you have been sexually assaulted, you can visit a rape crisis centre where you will receive emergency contraception free of charge, you will also be able to receive counselling and have a test for STIs.

More Information

FP NSW Healthline - 1300 65 88 86 (for the cost of a local call)