If you’re wondering whether the morning-after pill (emergency contraception) would be suitable for your situation, we’re here to help. We understand that this can be a stressful and sensitive matter.

The morning-after pill is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. Its effectiveness decreases over time, and it may not be suitable if more than 120 hours (5 days) have passed since the incident you’re concerned about. Additionally, the morning-after pill cannot terminate an existing pregnancy.

Before taking the morning-after pill, it’s essential to disclose any relevant medical information to our pharmacists. This includes:

• Allergies or intolerances to any of the pill’s ingredients or sugars
• Current medications you’re taking, as some may interact with the morning-after pill
• Digestive disorders that may affect absorption
• History of ectopic pregnancy
• Breastfeeding status

If you’ve taken the morning-after pill recently during the same menstrual cycle, you cannot take it again.

The sooner after unprotected sex you take the morning after pill, the more likely it is to be effective. That said, it’s not guaranteed to prevent pregnancy. About 2% of people who take the morning after pill after unprotected sex may still become pregnant.

If you take the morning after pill within 24 hours – or, better, within 12 hours – it’s very likely to prevent pregnancy. It still has an effect up to 5 days after sex, but, the longer you wait, the less likely it is to work. You should stay aware of the possibility that you may become pregnant.

If you’re already pregnant, the morning after pill won’t stop the pregnancy.

The morning after pill helps to delay ovulation, which is part of the reason it’s important to take it as soon as possible. If you’ve already ovulated this month, the pill won’t be effective.

The morning after pill helps to prevent pregnancy, but it has no effect against sexually transmitted infections. If you think you might have an STI, you should contact a sexual health clinic straight away. Woking Sexual Health Clinic and Buryfields Sexual Health Clinic are both within fifteen miles of our pharmacy.

You can use the morning after pill as an emergency measure if for any reason you’ve had unprotected sex, but it’s best not to rely on it as your only form of contraception, as it’s not guaranteed to be effective and doesn’t prevent STDs. You can speak privately to our pharmacist, your GP or a family planning clinic if you have any questions about what contraception to use.

There are two different morning after pills: Levonelle and ellaOne. You should read the information sheet that comes with the pill to make sure you know which one you’re taking and how it works.

Put the pill on your tongue and swallow it with water; don’t chew it.

Make a note of the time you take the pill. If you throw up at some point in the next three hours, you might need to take another one. Ask us for advice.

There are some potential morning after pill side effects, such as fatigue, nausea, dizziness, headaches, unusual menstrual bleeding and tenderness in the breasts. Not everyone experiences these, and they’ll usually go away within a few days.

If you have trouble breathing, or if you notice swelling in your face or throat, you should get medical help straight away.

It’s normal for your cycle to be thrown off slightly after taking the pill, but take a pregnancy test if your period is noticeably lighter or heavier than usual, or if it’s late by six or more days.