Join our mailing list to get regular email updates and info on what we're up to!
If you are under 18, please make sure you have your parents’ permission before providing us with any personal details.
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.
On this page
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. You can use our Risk of Pregnancy Calculator to work out what your risk is.
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.
Our Risk of Pregnancy Calculator can help you understand your emergency contraception needs and which method will be best for you. It’s really helpful if you can complete the Risk of Pregnancy Calculator before you come to the clinic and bring your results with you.
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.
Our Risk of Pregnancy Calculator can help you make a decision about using emergency contraception and let you know which type you’ll need.
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 from local pharmacies. Emergency contraception is usually free for people aged 24 and under but it’s best to phone in advance. You can find your local provider on the map below.
Other options of where to get emergency contraception include:
You can use Brook’s Find a Service Tool to find other emergency contraception providers near you.