Where can you get the morning-after pill? – The Irish sun

IF you have had unprotected sex or your usual form of birth control has failed, you may be concerned about becoming pregnant.

But there is no need to panic as the morning-after pill is widely available in the UK.

1

Where can I get the morning after pill for free?

The NHS is offering free morning-after pills – you can pick them up from the following locations:

• contraceptive clinics
• Most sexual health clinics/GUM
• Most GP practices
• Most NHS walk-in centers and minor injury units
• Some hospital emergencies
• Brook centered
• Some pharmacies – Search for your nearest one here

You still have to see a doctor or nurse to get the pill, so you can face quite a long wait at outpatient centers and clinics.

Boots and Superdrug also carry different brands of morning-after pills.

They’re not free, however, and start at £10 before costs go up.

You can get the emergency contraceptive pill before unprotected sex if:

• You are worried that your birth control method is not working
• You’re going on vacation
• Emergency contraception is not easy to come by

How long do I have to take the morning-after pill?

There are two different types of morning-after pills – Levonelle and EllaOne.

Levonelle can be taken up to three days after unprotected sex, but is most effective if taken within 12 hours.

EllaOne can be taken within five days of unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it, the more effective it is.

Experts have warned that taking the morning-after pill may increase a woman’s risk ectopic pregnancies.

Due to the side effects, it is only for emergencies – and should not be taken regularly.

If you feel sick (vomit) within two hours of taking Levonelle or three hours after taking ellaOne, see your GP, pharmacist or Genitourinary Medicine (GUM) clinic as you are about to take another dose or an IUD have to use.

Unlike the pill, the IUD can be used up to five days after unprotected intercourse or up to five days after the earliest possible ovulation to be effective.

The IUD is more effective at preventing pregnancy than birth control pills – less than one percent of women using the IUD become pregnant.