Emergency Hormonal Contraception (morning after pill)
The emergency contraceptive pill is most effective if taken as soon as possible after you have had unprotected intercourse, but it can be taken up to 120 hours afterwards. However the sooner the better.
This will be provided free of charge if registered with a GP in Wales or England.
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The emergency contraceptive pill is most effective if taken as soon as possible after you have had unprotected intercourse, but it can be taken up to 120 hours afterwards.
Under this NHS Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) scheme, a pharmacist can assess, advise and if protocol indicates, provide Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) free of charge, under a Patient Group Directive.
You can also purchase the Emergency Hormonal Contraception if you are 16 and over from any of our branches. Our pharmacist will advise you in confidence.
For more information you may contact us or speak to our pharmacist at your local branch directly.
What is Morning After Pill?
The morning after pill, also known as the emergency contraceptive pill or emergency hormonal contraception (EHC), is a tablet that can be taken by a woman to help prevent pregnancy following unprotected sex. Unprotected sex includes when other forms of contraception have failed in some way, such as a condom coming off during sex.
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How does emergency contraception work?
The morning after pill works by delaying the release of an egg during the ovulation phase of your menstrual cycle. The closer you are to ovulating, the less likely the morning after pill will prevent pregnancy.
So, it’s important that you should take the emergency contraceptive pill as soon as possible following unprotected sex for it to be effective. Preferably, this means on the same day as the unprotected sex. But you can take some forms of EHC up to 120 hours following unprotected sex.
Ask to speak, in confidence, with our pharmacist, they will be able to advise if EHC is suitable for you. If we cannot help you, then we will make sure we refer you to someone who can.
Remember, the morning after pill is not a regular form of birth control. And neither does EHC protect you from catching or transmitting an STI. Only condoms can do that.
So, it’s good practice to always use a condom, even if you are also taking a different form of birth control.
