Emergency contraceptive pill
The emergency contraceptive pill becomes less effective the later you take it. For example, if you take it between 24-48 hours there is an 85% chance of preventing pregnancy. After 72 hours only 58% of pregnancies will be prevented.
After you take the emergency contraceptive pill you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- nausea,
- dizziness,
- lethargy,
- headache,
- breast tenderness, or
- abdominal pain.
These symptoms will normally pass quickly. Taking the emergency contraceptive pill has not been shown to cause and serious or long-term health problems.
A very small number of women experience vomiting after taking the emergency contraceptive pill. If you vomit later than two hours after taking the emergency contraceptive pill, it will not stop the pill from working as it will have already been absorbed into your bloodstream.
If your vomit within two hours of taking the emergency contraceptive pill, there may be a chance the pill does not work. In this situation, you should speak to your GP, nurse or pharmacist, who may advise you to take a second emergency contraceptive pill or to have a copper IUD fitted.
Copper IUD
Not all women can use an IUD (for example, it may not be suitable for women who have problems with their womb), and they are not as easily available as the emergency contraceptive pill.
There is a small risk of developing an infection in your womb after having an IUD fitted. Such infections can normally be effectively treated using antibiotics.
Sometimes your womb can push out an IUD. If your IUD is not in the correct position, it may not be effective. If you feel your IUD may have fallen out of place, speak to your GP or nurse.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Neither the emergency pill or copper IUDs protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
