Emergency Hormonal contraception

Introduction

No appointments necessary, with easily accessible locations and just a quick consultation, we ensure a hassle free service to all our patients. Simply walk in and ask to speak to our friendly and professional pharmacist about the morning after pill.

Our pharmacist will need to see the person that the emergency contraception is intended for, and will need to ask a few questions regarding the patients’ medical history. This is done in the privacy of our consultation room and everything discussed is in complete confidence. The sooner you come to our pharmacy to take the morning after pill, the greater the chances of avoiding pregnancy.

When to take

The morning after pill should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

Levonelle must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex (3 days), and ellaOne within 120 hours (5 days).

Both pills are most effective when taken as soon as possible after sex.

Both Levonelle and ellaOne can be taken more than once during your menstrual cycle.

The morning after pill for future use

For peace of mind, you can buy the morning after pill for future use through our service.

Following a consultation with one of our pharmacists we will advise which pill will most suit your needs.

Which Pill Should I Take?

We offer two types of pill in our pharmacy; these are Levonorgestrel and ellaOne.

Levonelle (Levonorgesterel)

Levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone that prevents your ovaries from releasing an egg during ovulation. The hormone is also designed to stop sperm from being able to fertilise an egg that has already been released. You must take this pill within 3 days of unprotected sex for it to be effective.

EllaOne

ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, a chemical which prevents or delays the release of an egg. This stops the egg from being fertilised, preventing pregnancy. Taking ellaOne can make other forms of contraception, such as the combined pill, less effective. It is important to take extra precautions, such as using condoms, after taking the ellaOne tablet. To be most effective, it should be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Emergency contraception and STIs

Emergency contraception, does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have had sex without a condom and are worried that you might have an STI, our confidential online sexual health clinic provides advice, tests and treatments for a range of STIs.

Alternatively, you could visit your local sexual health clinic or arrange to see your GP.

Other forms of emergency contraception

The most effective form of emergency contraception is the copper coil, also known as an IUD. This can be fitted by a GP or family planning clinic up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If you are thinking of opting for a coil, we recommend that you still take the morning after pill, just in case you can’t get a coil fitted in time.

Please note

You should take a pregnancy test if you miss or experience a period more than 7 days late after taking either pill and only women can buy the morning after pill. You must fill out a questionnaire to determine your suitability.

Service details

Price: We are one of the few pharmacies that are able to provide the morning after pill free of charge to patients who are aged 24 and under, and who meet the NHS criteria. Alternatively, the pill can be purchased privately from our pharmacy.

Frequency: When required…

Availability

Select your preferred pharmacy to visit their page and enquire about this service or just pop in when it suits you.

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