Levonelle contains levonorgestrel which is a synthetic version of the progestogen hormone. The usual dose is 1.5mg. Some women may require a higher dose. 

It is thought to work by preventing or delaying the egg being released by the ovary. If the embryo has already implanted, then it does not affect this. It will therefore not terminate a pregnancy if it has already occurred. 

Studies have shown if 1,000 women had unprotected sex once, about 60 to 80 would become pregnant. If all those women had taken Levonelle then only around 11 to 26 would have become pregnant.

If ovulation has already taken place, then it will not be effective. If you have a 28-day cycle, then you are likely to ovulate after 14 days from the first day of your period. Ovulation and menstrual cycles can be unpredictable so it may be difficult to work out your day of ovulation. 

If you think you may have already ovulated, then you should consider the IUCD. Contact your GP surgery or family planning clinic to arrange this as soon as possible. You can also contact NHS 111 for further advice.

If you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency pill, you can become pregnant. It does not continue to protect you against pregnancy after you have taken it.

Using emergency contraception does not replace the necessary precautions required to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

Certain conditions and medications make Levonelle ineffective. 

Levonelle is unsuitable if you have a history of any of the following conditions:

• porphyria
• previous ectopic or molar pregnancy
• very severe gut disease (such as Crohn's disease)
• lactose intolerance (rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption)

If you take any of the following medications then Levonelle may be unsuitable for you:

• Anti-epileptics: phenytoin, carbamazepine
• Rifampicin and rifabutin (antibiotics used to treat TB)
• St Johns Wort (herbal remedy for anxiety/ depression)
• Anti-virals (ritonavir)
• Selegiline
• Ciclosporin
• Tizanidine

If you have any of the above, then please speak to your doctor or nurse for further advice. 

If the Levonelle did not work and you became pregnant, there is no evidence that taking the emergency progestogen pill is harmful to the baby.

Take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex, preferably within 12 hours. The earlier it is taken, the more effective it is as preventing pregnancy.

Levonelle should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) from unprotected sex. 

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill, then you should take another pill straight away.  You can either see your pharmacist or contact us for another prescription. Alternatively, contact your family planning clinic or GP surgery to have the IUCD fitted. 

Side effects are generally uncommon. Mild side effects usually only occur for a short time and may include:

• nausea (less likely to occur if you take the pill with food)
• vomiting (another pill will need to be taken within 3 hours)
• diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• a headache
• fatigue
• dizziness
• breast tenderness
• changes to your period (erratic bleeding, period may be early or late)

Most women will have their period within 5-7 days of their expected date.

If any of the side effects become bothersome, then speak to your pharmacist, doctor or nurse for further advice.

If you are not using regular contraception then we advise you to make an appointment with your local family planning clinic or GP surgery.

There is an increased risk of pregnancy with further unprotected sex after the emergency pill has been taken within that menstrual cycle. It is therefore advisable to start regular contraception to help prevent this.

You should do a pregnancy test 3 weeks after using emergency contraception. 

Your regular method of contraception should be continued as normal. If emergency contraception is used because of missed oral contraceptive pills, then resume your normal pill-taking regime within 12 hours of taking Levonelle.

Use additional barrier contraception, such as condoms, for:

• 2 days if you use the progestogen-only pill (POP)
• 7 days if you use the patch, ring, combined pill (except Qlaira), implant or injection
• 9 days for the combined pill Qlaira

If in doubt speak to your nurse, GP or pharmacist for further advice.

If pregnancy occurs after treatment with Levonelle, then the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy should be considered. See your GP for further advice. 

If you develop any of the following symptoms listed below 2 to 6 weeks after taking Levonelle, then you must seek urgent medical advice (from your GP, Out of Hours Service, Urgent care centre, NHS 111). Call an ambulance or go to A&E if the symptoms are severe. These may be signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

• abdominal pain
• abnormal bleeding
• feeling faint or dizzy

Please note that i-GP does not treat medical emergencies.

ellaOne contains 30mg Ulipristal acetate. 

It is thought to work by preventing or delaying the egg being released by the ovary. If the embryo has already implanted, then it does not affect this. It will therefore not terminate a pregnancy if it has already occurred. 

Studies have shown if 1,000 women had unprotected sex once, about 60 to 80 would become pregnant. If all those women had taken ulipristal acetate, about 9 to 18 would have become pregnant. It will, however, depend on when in the cycle it was taken.

If ovulation has already taken place, then it will not be effective. If you have a 28-day cycle, then you are likely to ovulate after 14 days from the first day of your period. Ovulation and menstrual cycles can be unpredictable so it may be difficult to work out your day of ovulation. 

If you think you may have already ovulated, then you should consider the IUCD. Contact your GP surgery or family planning clinic to arrange this as soon as possible. You can also contact NHS 111 for further advice.

If you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency pill, you can become pregnant. It does not continue to protect you against pregnancy after you have taken it.

Using emergency contraception does not replace the necessary precautions required to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.

 EllaOne is unsuitable if you have a history of any of the following conditions:

• severe asthma
• severe liver disease

If you take any of the following medications then ellaOne maybe unsuitable for you:

• Anti-reflux medication such as antacids, ranitidine, omeprazole
• Anti-epileptics: phenytoin, carbamazepine
• Rifampicin and rifabutin (antibiotics used to treat TB)
• St Johns Wort (herbal remedy for anxiety/ depression)
• Anti-virals (ritonavir)

If you have missed your Progestogen-only pills or Combined oral contraceptive pill then ellaOne may not be the best choice of emergency contraception for you. You should consider the IUCD or Levonelle instead.

You should not breastfeed for one week after taking this tablet.

Take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex, preferably within 12 hours. The earlier it is taken, the more effective it is as preventing pregnancy.

EllaOne should be taken within 120 hours (5 days) from unprotected sex. 

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill, then you should either take another pill straight away.  You can see your pharmacist or contact us for another prescription. Alternatively, contact your family planning clinic or GP surgery to have the IUCD fitted. 

Side effects are generally uncommon. Mild side effects usually only occur for a short time and may include:

• nausea (less likely to occur if you take the pill with food)
• vomiting (another pill will need to be taken within 3 hours)
• abdominal pain
• a headache
• dizziness
• muscle pains
• changes to your period (erratic bleeding, period may be early or late)

Most women will have their period within 5-7 days of their expected date.

If any of the side effects become bothersome, then speak to your pharmacist, doctor or nurse for further advice.

If you are not using regular contraception then we advise you to make an appointment with your local family planning clinic or GP surgery.

There is an increased risk of pregnancy with further unprotected sex after the emergency pill has been taken within that menstrual cycle.

You should do a pregnancy test 3 weeks after using emergency contraception. 

Wait at least 5 days before taking your next contraceptive pill, applying a new patch or inserting a new ring. You will also need to use additional barrier contraception such as condoms until you restart your contraception and for a further:

• 2 days if on the POCP.
• 7 days if on the COCP (apart from Qlaira)
• 7 days if on the contraceptive ring or contraceptive patch.
• 7 days if using the progestogen-only implant or progestogen-only injection
• 9 days if on Qlaira

This is the advice given by the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) in their guideline for Emergency Contraception, December 2017.

If in doubt speak to your nurse, GP or pharmacist for further advice.

The IUCD (intrauterine contraceptive device) is the most effective form of emergency contraception. It is inserted into the uterus by a doctor or nurse. It is thought to work by releasing copper to prevent fertilisation and if the egg is already fertilised then by preventing the egg implanting into the uterus. It can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest likely date of ovulation (whichever is later).

An IUCD can be used even if the emergency pill has been taken. It can also be used for ongoing contraception. 

Side effects are uncommon and include, pain, infection, damage to the uterus, expulsion from the uterus, changes to your periods if you continue to use as it a contraceptive (heavier, more painful or longer periods).

The IUCD may be unsuitable for women with the following:

• current pelvic inflammatory disease
• an active chlamydia or gonorrhea infection
• history of copper allergy or Wilson's disease
• distorted uterus
• gestational trophoblastic disease
• postpartum sepsis
• cervical or endometrial cancer

Emergency contraception can be obtained free on the NHS.

• Contraception clinics or sexual health clinics
• Your GP surgery
• Some pharmacies

You can also buy it from most pharmacies after having a consultation with the pharmacist to assess it's suitability. It will generally cost around £25 to £35 as listed on NHS Choices. However, it is best to contact your pharmacy to find out the exact cost as it can vary.

For further advice on all the different forms of contraception available, please see the NHS Choices: Your Contraceptive Guide

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are very effective. They allow you to avoid having to remember to take your contraceptive pill every day. There are four types of LARC available. These include:

• Contraceptive Implant
• Contraceptive Injection
• IUCD (Intrauterine contraceptive device) also known as the 'coil.'
• IUS (Intrauterine contraceptive system)

Implant

A small rod-shaped implant is inserted under the skin of the upper arm and releases the hormone progesterone. This provides contraception for three years.

Injection

An injection of the progesterone hormone is given into the muscle. This lasts between two to three months depending on the brand.

IUCD

This small device is inserted into the uterus. It lasts up to 10 years.

IUS

This is a type of IUCD which contains the hormone progesterone. This can last up to five years.

Please click on the links above for further information about each type of LARC.

You can get contraception free of charge from:

• contraception clinics
• sexual health/ GUM clinics
• your GP surgery

The emergency pill does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections. If you are worried that you may have an STI, go for a check-up at a sexual health clinic as soon as you can. Help protect yourself from catching or passing on an STI  by always using condoms.

Please use the following links to find your nearest Sexual Health/ GUM clinic.

• England
• Wales
• Scotland
• Northern Ireland

You can call the national sexual health helpline free on 0300 123 7123 for further advice if you are worried.

SH:24 is a free online sexual health service, delivered in partnership with the NHS. They provide free test kits, information and advice - 24 hours a day.

What is abuse?

Abuse is anything another person does that's meant to cause harm. But it's not always easy to know what's abuse or what to do about it.

There are many types of abuse from physical, emotional, sexual, neglect or domestic. Abuse is always wrong and must be stopped. It is important to take the first step and seek help. If you are in immediate danger call 999.

You can find out more about the types of abuse and where you can access help on the YoungMinds Website.

Domestic violence and abuse

If you are experiencing domestic violence or know of someone that may be experiencing abuse that may need help or support then you can contact the following 

• National Domestic Violence Helpline Free 24-hours a day on 0808 2000 247 Run in partnership between Women's Aid and Refuge.
• Men's Advice Line: confidential helpline for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner (or from other family members). Call freephone 0808 801 0327 Monday-Friday 9am-5pm

Help after rape or sexual assault

Please see the NHS website for further information.

• In an emergency call 999
• You can contact the non-emergency police number 101
• Or call NHS 111 for further advice

For specialist medical attention and sexual violence support, you would need to be seen at a sexual assault referral centre (SARC). You can find your nearest one here.

Childline

Childline is there to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Whether it’s something big or small, or are worried that you may be going through abuse, their trained counsellors are there to support you.

Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. You can talk to them:

• by calling 0800 1111
• by email
• through a 121 Webchat
  

If you are worried about a child, don't wait until you are certain. If you have any concerns or suspicions, contact the NSPCC free helpline service to speak to an NSPCC counsellor 24/7 or report your concern online here.

If you think a child is in immediate danger don't delay – call the police on 999.

Modern Slavery Helpline

If you think you are a victim of modern slavery/human trafficking contact the modern slavery helpline. They can help you to understand what is available including information, advice and, ways to access government-funded support. The Modern Slavery Helpline is confidential, but, if you don't want to give your name, that is fine. Find out more here.

Call free 24/7 on 08000 121 700 to get help, report a suspicion or seek advice.

Female genital mutilation (FGM)

FGM is abuse and illegal under the UK law. All girls and women have the right to a life free from pain, period problems and difficulties with childbirth that are caused by female genital mutilation.

Female genital mutilation, female circumcision or ‘cutting’ may cause serious health and emotional consequences that last a lifetime. You can stop it. For advice, support or to report it, call the free 24-hour anonymous FGM helpline on 0800 028 3550. Find out more about it here.

Protecting young people from sexual

exploitation

It is important that young people are kept safe from sexual exploitation. Child sexual exploitation doesn't always involve physical contact and can happen online. It can be stopped and it is everyone's responsibility to report any concerns.

Child sexual exploitation is a hidden crime and can be difficult to identify. Young people often trust their abuser and don't understand that they're being abused. They may depend on their abuser or be too scared to tell anyone what's happening. You can find out more about here.

If you are worried about a child then contact the NSPCC trained helpline counsellors for 24/7 help, advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk

Watch the NSPCC video sharing the story of a young person who has been groomed and sexually exploited.