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Brook Manchester
If you’ve had vaginal sex without using a condom, or your contraceptive method failed (e.g. you missed a pill or a condom split) you may be able to prevent pregnancy by using emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill or the copper coil, within five days.
Emergency contraception is most effective if you take it as early as possible.
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Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy. There are two types of emergency contraception: the emergency hormonal contraception (sometimes called the morning after pill or emergency contraceptive pill) and the copper coil, sometimes called the non-hormonal coil. The method you use depends on your preference and your risk of pregnancy.
If you have had unprotected sex or your method failed, you also need to consider STIs.
Brook Manchester offers free emergency contraception to young people aged 19 and under living in the Manchester area. If you need emergency contraception, come to the clinic during opening hours, you don’t need an appointment.
What if the clinic is closed?
If you’ve had unprotected vaginal sex without contraception or where the condom broke or came off, emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy if you haven’t ovulated. Talk to a healthcare professional if you’re unsure.
A copper coil (IUD) can sometimes work up to 6 days after you had vaginal sex without contraception, depending on your menstrual cycle. So if it’s been 5-7 days, it’s still worth asking about emergency contraception. We aren’t able to provide copper coils as emergency contraception but The Northern Sexual Health Service will be able to.
If it’s been more than a week since you had vaginal sex without contraception, it’s best to wait until three weeks after and then take a pregnancy test. We can support you with pregnancy testing and talking through your options.
If you are unable to get to Brook Manchester, or you need emergency contraception when we are closed, you can get it for free from pharmacies without a prescription or appointment.
You can use Brook’s Find a Service Tool to find other emergency contraception providers near you.