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Brook Sefton
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.
There are two types of emergency contraceptive pills, they are both less effective than the copper coil as they will only prevent pregnancy if ovulation hasn’t already happened. Whereas the copper coil can be used to prevent pregnancy at any time during your menstrual cycle. Calculate your risk of pregnancy using this tool by answering a few questions. You can then take this information with you when you see a healthcare professional.
If you have had unprotected sex or your method failed, you also need to consider STIs.
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill (also known as morning after pill) for free from pharmacies without an appointment or prescription. View map of pharmacies offering free emergency contraception
You can get both the copper coil and the emergency contraceptive pill for free from Brook Sefton. Phone us on 0151 305 0148 to talk to a friendly member of the team or visit the clinic during walk-in hours.
What if the clinics or phonelines are closed?
A copper coil (IUD) can sometimes work up to 5 days after you had vaginal sex without contraception, depending on your menstrual cycle.
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.
You can get the morning after pill for free from pharmacies without an appointment or prescription. Map of pharmacies offering free emergency contraception
For the copper coil, you can contact your GP surgery and most sexual health clinics.
You can use Brook’s Find a Service Tool to find other emergency contraception providers near you.
Emergency contraception should only be used as a back-up for if your regular method of contraception has failed (e.g. the condom broke or you forgot your pill). Unlike the emergency contraceptive pill, the copper coil can be used as emergency contraception and it can then be left in as a regular method of contraception for up to 10 years.
If you find you’re struggling to remember your pill, patch or ring or struggle to use condoms every time, it might be worth considering another method of contraception. There are methods that you don’t have to remember to use regularly which means there’s less risk of you forgetting.