The Minster Practice, Lichfield

Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception works up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.

Emergency contraception is available without prescription from pharmacists at a cost of about £24. Or make an appointment in the usual way with one of our doctors or nurses for a free prescription. Alternatively, email Dr Causer mike (dot) causer (at sign) nhs (dot) net with emergency contraception as the subject and your name & mobile number in the message. We will ring you to make arrangements for you to be seen for the prescription to be issued. If you are not called back within 4 hours, ring the surgery for advice as the mail server may be down.

This is the text of the handout issued by us to women with their prescription for emergency contraception. These prescriptions from us, like all other prescribable contraceptives, are FREE.

This method of emergency contraception is safer and more effective than older methods. 85% of pregnancies are prevented compared to 57% with PC4. If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex 95% of pregnancies are prevented.

The tablet should NOT be taken if your period is already overdue or your last period was abnormal in timing or character or if you had unprotected sex more than 72 hours earlier since your last period. This is because you may already be pregnant.

Take the tablet as soon as possible preferably within 12 hours and no later than 72 hours after unprotected sex.

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the tablet, another  tablet should be taken immediately. This happens in 5% of women though 25% experience nausea. Severe diarrhoea may also affect absorption.

This is EMERGENCY contraception for occasional use and should not be used repeatedly as it is LESS effective than regular methods of contraception. You should also remember that whilst pregnancy may be prevented your risk of being harmed by sexually transmitted infections is the same. The risk of infections including the wart virus associated with cancer of the cervix and chlamydia associated with infertility is much reduced by the use of condoms.

It is important that you do not have unprotected sex until your next period starts. In most cases your next period will occur at the expected time but it may be early or late. If your period is more than 7 days overdue you may be pregnant. The risk of ectopic pregnancy is higher after emergency contraception.

As already mentioned this method is not 100% effective. You should make an appointment with your doctor in about 3 weeks time so that effectiveness or otherwise can be assessed and plans made for the future.

Page updated 28/10/2008

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