How Soon Can You Take Emergency Contraception? Your Guide from WYL Pharmacies Swindon

Emergency contraception can be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, and the sooner you take it, the more effective it will be. There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill available in the UK.  Levonelle (levonorgestrel) must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex.  ellaOne (ulipristal acetate) can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) afterwards. The most effective form of emergency contraception is the copper intrauterine device (IUD), which can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex and is more than 99% effective. At WYL Pharmacies in Swindon, our trained pharmacists can provide a fast, confidential consultation and supply emergency contraception without the need for a GP appointment, so you can access the help you need quickly and discreetly.

Act now — the sooner you take emergency contraception, the more effective it will be.  Book a consultation today.

How Does Emergency Contraception Work?

Emergency contraception is a form of birth control used after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to reduce the risk of an unintended pregnancy. It is important to understand that emergency contraception is not intended as a regular method of contraception and is not as effective as ongoing methods such as the pill, implant, or IUD. However, when used promptly, it can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy and is a safe and important option for many people.

Both types of emergency contraceptive pill work primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation. If an egg has not yet been released, the pill can stop this from happening, meaning that sperm in the reproductive tract cannot fertilise an egg. They do not work by ending an existing pregnancy and will not affect an embryo that has already implanted in the womb. This is an important distinction to understand, particularly for those with ethical or religious considerations around contraception.

The copper IUD works differently, primarily preventing fertilisation through its effects on sperm and ova. It is the most reliable form of emergency contraception available and has the added benefit of providing ongoing long-term contraceptive protection once fitted, lasting up to 10 years or more depending on the device used.

How Soon Can You Take Emergency Contraception?

The straightforward answer is: as soon as possible. Taking emergency contraception as soon as possible after unprotected sex gives you the best chance of it being effective, which is why acting quickly is always recommended. Here is a closer look at the timing for each method.

Levonelle (Levonorgestrel)

Levonelle is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, and its effectiveness decreases with each passing hour, which is why prompt access is strongly recommended. It can be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex.  Waiting even a few hours to access it can meaningfully reduce its protective effect, making speed of access a genuine priority.

ellaOne (Ulipristal Acetate)

ellaOne maintains its effectiveness more consistently across the full five-day window compared to Levonelle, which makes it a better option for those who are unable to access emergency contraception within the first 24 hours. It can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex.  It is considered more effective than Levonelle throughout the full 72-hour window and is often the preferred choice regardless of how quickly it is accessed. However, ellaOne interacts with hormonal contraception, so your pharmacist will advise on how to manage this.

The Copper IUD

The copper IUD must be fitted by a trained healthcare professional within 5 days of unprotected sex, or within 5 days of the earliest likely date of ovulation. It is the most effective form of emergency contraception available, with a failure rate of less than 1%, and can subsequently be left in place as an ongoing contraceptive method. It is not available from a pharmacy and requires fitting at a GP surgery, sexual health clinic, or specialist contraception service.  Our team at WYL Pharmacies can refer you to the appropriate service if this is the right option for you.

Which Emergency Contraceptive Pill is Right for Me?

Choosing between Levonelle and ellaOne depends on several factors, including how much time has passed since unprotected sex, your weight, any medications you are currently taking, and your medical history. Our pharmacists at WYL Pharmacies in Swindon will discuss all of these factors with you during your consultation to ensure you receive the most appropriate option.

Time Since Unprotected Sex

If fewer than 72 hours have passed, both Levonelle and ellaOne are options, though ellaOne is generally considered more effective across this window. If between 72 and 120 hours have passed, only ellaOne or the copper IUD are suitable options, as Levonelle is not licensed for use beyond 72 hours.

Weight and BMI Considerations

Current FSRH guidance advises that oral emergency contraception may be less effective at higher weight or BMI. Where this applies, a copper IUD is recommended as the most effective option. Where a copper IUD is unsuitable, the choice and dosing of oral emergency contraception should follow current clinical guidance, and your pharmacist will discuss the most appropriate option for your individual circumstances.

Medication Interactions

Certain medications can reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraceptive pills, particularly ellaOne. These include some epilepsy medications (such as carbamazepine and phenytoin), HIV medications, rifampicin and rifabutin (used for tuberculosis and some other infections), St John’s Wort (a herbal remedy), and certain antifungal medications. If you are taking any of these, your pharmacist may recommend a higher dose of Levonelle or the copper IUD as a more reliable alternative. Always inform your pharmacist of any medications you are taking, including herbal remedies and supplements.

ellaOne and Hormonal Contraception

If you take ellaOne, you should avoid starting or restarting hormonal contraception for at least 5 days afterwards, as hormonal contraception can reduce ellaOne’s effectiveness. During this period and for the following days after restarting contraception, you should use a barrier method such as condoms. Your pharmacist will provide tailored guidance based on your specific contraceptive method and circumstances.

Not sure which option is right for you?  Contact our team at WYL Pharmacies Swindon for confidential advice and we will help you make the right decision.

What to Expect at Your WYL Pharmacies Consultation

Accessing emergency contraception at WYL Pharmacies in Swindon is straightforward, quick, and completely confidential. Before supplying emergency contraception, our pharmacists are required to carry out a brief consultation to ensure the medication is appropriate and safe for you. This typically takes no more than 10 to 15 minutes and covers when unprotected sex occurred, your current contraceptive method if any, any medications you are currently taking, relevant medical history, and any allergies.

All information shared during the consultation is kept in the strictest confidence. Our pharmacists are trained to handle these conversations with professionalism, warmth, and complete discretion. If you are under 16, the consultation will be handled sensitively and in accordance with appropriate safeguarding guidelines, but accessing emergency contraception is still possible and your welfare will always be our priority.

Can Emergency Contraception Fail?

Emergency contraception is highly effective but is not 100% guaranteed to prevent pregnancy. The effectiveness of the emergency pill depends heavily on how quickly it is taken, which is why accessing it as soon as possible after unprotected sex is so important. The copper IUD, when fitted within the recommended time window, is the most reliable option with a failure rate of less than 1%.

If you vomit within 2 hours of taking Levonelle or within 3 hours of taking ellaOne, the medication may not have been fully absorbed and you should seek advice on whether a replacement dose is needed as soon as possible. Certain medications, as described above, can also reduce the effectiveness of both pills, which is why disclosing your full medication history during the consultation is so important.

If your next period is more than 7 days late, or is notably lighter or shorter than usual after taking emergency contraception, it is advisable to take a pregnancy test. If you have any concerns, our team at WYL Pharmacies is always available to advise on next steps.

Our pharmacists at WYL Pharmacies Swindon can advise on whether your emergency contraception has worked.  Call us to book your consultation today for fast, confidential guidance.

Emergency Contraception and Ongoing Contraception

Taking emergency contraception is an important immediate step, but it is also an opportunity to consider whether your ongoing contraceptive method is meeting your needs. If you experienced a contraceptive failure, such as a split condom, missed pills, or a dislodged patch, it may be worth reviewing your contraceptive method to find something that better suits your lifestyle and reduces the likelihood of needing emergency contraception in the future.

Our pharmacists at WYL Pharmacies can discuss a range of contraceptive options with you as part of your consultation and provide information on long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the implant, hormonal coil, or copper IUD, which are significantly more effective than short-acting methods and require no daily action. If you would like to explore long-acting contraception further, our team can refer you to a sexual health clinic or GP for fitting of a LARC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to the questions our patients at WYL Pharmacies in Swindon ask us most often about emergency contraception.

Can I take emergency contraception more than once?

Yes, emergency contraception can be taken more than once and there is no medical reason it cannot be used on multiple occasions if needed, though it is not intended as a regular contraceptive method due to its lower effectiveness compared to ongoing options. If you find yourself needing emergency contraception frequently, our pharmacists can discuss more reliable long-term contraceptive options with you.

How will I know if emergency contraception has worked?

To confirm that emergency contraception has worked, NHS guidance recommends taking a pregnancy test at least 21 days after the most recent unprotected sex, regardless of whether your period has arrived.  If the test is positive or you have any concerns, seek advice from a pharmacist, GP, or sexual health clinic as soon as possible.

Is emergency contraception the same as the abortion pill?

No, emergency contraception is not the same as the abortion pill and works in a completely different way. Emergency contraception works by preventing or delaying ovulation to stop a pregnancy from occurring, whereas the abortion pill is used to end an established pregnancy and is an entirely separate medication.

Can I take emergency contraception if I am breastfeeding?

Levonelle is considered compatible with breastfeeding and no interruption to breastfeeding is required after taking it. Current FSRH guidance also states that no interruption of breastfeeding is required after a single dose of ellaOne — your pharmacist will discuss the most appropriate option for your circumstances and confirm the latest guidance at the time of your consultation.

Does the emergency pill affect future fertility?

No, there is no evidence that taking emergency contraception, either once or on multiple occasions, has any effect on long-term fertility. Your ability to conceive in future is not affected by taking the emergency pill.

What are the side effects of emergency contraception?

The most commonly reported side effects of emergency contraception include nausea, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, and changes to your next period, such as it arriving earlier or later than expected or being lighter or heavier than usual. These side effects are generally mild and short-lived, resolving on their own within a day or two.