Emergency contraception · UK
The morning-after pill, and the option that beats it.
Emergency contraception is safe, effective and free on the NHS if you act in time. The copper coil is the most effective option; ulipristal and levonorgestrel are the two pills - and the choice between them isn’t arbitrary.
Why patients ask us
- 01
Timing is everything - and free on the NHS
Emergency contraception works best the sooner you take it. It’s free at GPs, sexual health clinics and - since 2024 - most pharmacies via the NHS.
- 02
The copper coil beats the pill
FSRH first-line: the copper IUD is more than 99% effective up to five days after - and keeps working for years.
- 03
Neutral, boring, useful advice
We tell you which option fits your timing, cycle and medication - no judgement, no upsell.
Access and cost
Free on the NHS. £15–£35 privately.
Every UK route to emergency contraception at a glance - pick the fastest one you can reach today.
In short
NHS pharmacy (CPCS): free, same day. Private OTC: £15–£35.
| Route | Cost | Typical duration | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHS pharmacy (CPCS) - levonorgestrel or ulipristal | Free | 15–20 min | Same day |
| NHS sexual health clinic - any option incl. copper coil | Free | 30–60 min | Same day |
| NHS GP - pill or coil referral | Free | 10–20 min | Same day |
| Private pharmacy - Levonelle (levonorgestrel) | £15–£25 | 10 min | Same day |
| Private pharmacy - ellaOne (ulipristal) | £25–£35 | 10 min | Same day |
| Private online consultation + delivery | £20–£40 | 15 min | Same/next day |
| Private copper IUD fitting (if NHS slot too slow) | £350–£600 | 30 min | Within 5 days |
Since 2024, the NHS Community Pharmacy Contraception Service (CPCS) supplies emergency contraception free at most English pharmacies - no GP appointment. Sexual health clinics can also fit a copper coil the same or next day, which is the most effective option.
The problem
The right option, in time, without the panic.
Emergency contraception is not one thing - three options, different windows, different effectiveness. The mistake is grabbing whichever is nearest without checking if it’s the right one.
-
Not sure which to take?
Ulipristal (ellaOne) is stronger near ovulation; the copper coil is stronger than either. We tell you which fits your timing.
-
Worried about cost?
Free on the NHS at GPs, sexual health clinics and most pharmacies. £15–£35 privately if you’d rather skip the queue.
-
Not sure it worked?
A home pregnancy test three weeks later is the honest check. We help you plan it and set up ongoing contraception.
How it works
From today’s worry to a plan you can act on.
A single conversation covers the assessment, the supply, and what to do in three weeks’ time.
Phase 1 · Before
Triage, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · Today
Assessment and supply
Phase 3 · After
Follow-up in 3 weeks
- 01
Before
A short, private form. When the sex happened, whether contraception failed, and where you are in your cycle.
- 02
Before
Within the hour: copper coil, ulipristal (ellaOne) or levonorgestrel (Levonelle) - and where to get it fastest, free or private.
- 03
Before
We help you access it today
NHS pharmacy referral, sexual health clinic slot, GP appointment or private online prescription - whichever is quickest.
- 04
Today
Assessment and supply
A brief consultation covers timing, meds, allergies and breastfeeding. You get the pill or your coil appointment on the day.
- 05
Today
Take it - and take an anti-emetic if needed
If you vomit within two to three hours of the tablet, a repeat dose is needed. We tell you exactly what to do.
- 06
Today
Plan ongoing contraception
Emergency contraception is a one-off. We help you start or restart something regular - with the right five-day gap after ulipristal.
- 07
After
Follow up in three weeks
A home pregnancy test three weeks later if your period hasn’t come. STI screen if you’re worried. Coil review if fitted.
Typical end-to-end: same day to access. Pregnancy test: 3 weeks later.
When to use it
When emergency contraception is the right call.
The situations we see most often - plus the one where EC isn’t the right route at all.
-
Unprotected sex (UPSI)
No contraception was used, or it was withdrawn late - the classic reason to consider EC.
-
Condom split, slipped or came off
A broken condom is a contraceptive failure. EC is worth considering, especially near ovulation.
-
Missed pills or late injection
Two or more combined pills missed, a late progestogen-only pill, or a late Depo injection can leave you unprotected.
-
Sexual assault
Sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) offer EC, STI cover and support - free and confidential, day or night.
-
Enzyme-inducer medication clash
Drugs like carbamazepine, rifampicin or St John’s Wort can weaken hormonal EC - a higher dose or copper coil may be needed.
-
Close to ovulation
The days around ovulation carry the highest pregnancy risk. Ulipristal or a copper coil are more effective than levonorgestrel here.
-
Breastfeeding
Levonorgestrel is safer while breastfeeding. Ulipristal is used with a seven-day break (express and discard).
-
Red flag: pregnancy already
EC doesn’t end an existing pregnancy and won’t harm it - but if a test is positive, this isn’t the right route. Speak to your GP or a sexual health clinic.
Your options
Three methods. One is more effective than the others.
What each option involves, when to use it, and which of the UK access routes gets it to you the fastest.
-
Copper IUD (Cu-IUD)
The most effective EC - more than 99%. Fitted up to five days after sex (or up to five days after expected ovulation). Also gives 5–10 years of ongoing contraception.
-
Ulipristal (ellaOne)
A single 30 mg tablet, effective up to 120 hours (five days) after sex. More effective than levonorgestrel, especially close to ovulation.
-
Levonorgestrel (Levonelle)
A single 1.5 mg tablet, effective up to 72 hours (three days).
-
Double-dose levonorgestrel
FSRH advises 3 mg (double dose) if you’re on an enzyme-inducing drug - rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin, St John’s Wort.
-
NHS pharmacy (CPCS)
Since 2024, most English pharmacies provide EC free under the Community Pharmacy Contraception Service - no GP appointment needed.
-
Sexual health / GUM clinic
Free, walk-in or booked. The best route if you want a copper coil, an STI screen or safeguarding support at the same visit.
-
SARC (sexual assault)
Sexual assault referral centres offer EC, HIV cover, STI screening and forensic care - 24/7, free, and you can self-refer.
-
Private online prescription
A regulated online pharmacy consultation with same or next-day delivery - useful out of hours or if you value privacy.
Safety and side effects
What to expect afterwards - honestly.
Emergency contraception is safe. The things worth knowing are timing, what to do if you’re sick, and how it interacts with your regular contraception.
-
The sooner the better
Levonorgestrel is around 95% effective at 24 hours and 58% at 72; ulipristal holds up better across five days. Don’t wait.
-
Vomiting within 2–3 hours
If you vomit within two to three hours of taking the tablet, you need a repeat dose. Ask for an anti-emetic if you feel nauseous.
-
Your next period may shift
Your period can come up to a week early or late. Spotting, breast tenderness and mild nausea are common and settle quickly.
-
It doesn’t protect the rest of the cycle
EC covers one act of sex, not the days that follow. Use condoms until your regular contraception is fully in place.
-
Ulipristal + hormonal contraception
Wait five days after ulipristal before starting or restarting hormonal contraception - otherwise it blunts the EC effect.
-
Breastfeeding
Levonorgestrel is the preferred option. If ulipristal is used, express and discard breast milk for seven days after the dose.
-
Enzyme-inducing drugs
Rifampicin, carbamazepine, phenytoin and St John’s Wort reduce hormonal EC. FSRH advises double-dose levonorgestrel or a copper coil.
-
It won’t end an existing pregnancy
EC prevents pregnancy - it doesn’t cause a termination and won’t harm a pregnancy that’s already started.
-
Red flags
Severe lower abdominal pain three to five weeks later, or a positive test with pain and bleeding, needs same-day review - think ectopic.
Your assessment
Your EC consultation in four parts. Read the last one first.
Whichever option you end up with, the assessment behind it follows the same shape.
A quiet reminder
Ongoing contraception matters more than the tablet you take today.
We help you plan a long-term option - the pill, an implant, or a coil (see the Mirena) - at the same visit.
- 01 History
When it happened and where you are in your cycle
The single most important piece of information - timing decides which option works and how well.
- 02 Assessment
Medication, breastfeeding, allergies, prior EC
Enzyme-inducers, severe asthma, liver disease and breastfeeding all change the recommendation.
- 03 Plan
Which EC, how to take it, what to do if you’re sick
Written instructions: the option, the dose, when to repeat if you vomit, and what to expect.
- 04 Follow-up
Pregnancy test at 3 weeks, ongoing contraception, STI screen
Read this first: a home pregnancy test at three weeks, a plan for regular contraception, and an STI screen if there’s any risk.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Emergency contraception is free at UK NHS pharmacies, GPs and sexual health clinics. Private insurance rarely applies - most people use NHS or over-the-counter routes.
Frequently asked
Everything patients ask about the morning-after pill.
Quick answers on timing, cost, breastfeeding, and what to do after.
-
How long do I have to take the morning-after pill?
Levonorgestrel (Levonelle) works up to 72 hours (three days) after sex, ulipristal (ellaOne) up to 120 hours (five days). The copper coil can be fitted up to five days after sex, or up to five days after your earliest expected ovulation. All of them work better the sooner you use them.
-
Which emergency contraception is most effective?
The copper IUD - more than 99% effective, with a failure rate below one in a thousand. Ulipristal is more effective than levonorgestrel, especially close to ovulation.
-
Where can I get it free in the UK?
GPs, sexual health / GUM clinics, NHS 111, sexual assault referral centres, and - since 2024 - most English pharmacies via the Community Pharmacy Contraception Service. It’s free at all of these.
-
How much does the morning-after pill cost privately?
Levonorgestrel is typically £15–£25, ulipristal £25–£35 over the counter. Online prescriptions with delivery are £20–£40. A private copper coil fitting is £350–£600, useful if NHS coil slots are booked out.
-
Will the morning-after pill make me sick?
Around 10–20% feel nauseous and a smaller number vomit. If you’re sick within two to three hours of the tablet, you need a repeat dose - an anti-emetic often helps.
-
When can I restart my regular pill?
After levonorgestrel you can start or restart immediately, with condoms for seven days (or nine for the mini-pill). After ulipristal you should wait five full days, otherwise the EC effect is blocked - use condoms in the meantime.
-
Can I take it while breastfeeding?
Yes. Levonorgestrel is the preferred option and considered compatible with breastfeeding. If ulipristal is used, current FSRH advice is to express and discard breast milk for seven days after the dose.
-
When should I see a GP or A&E urgently?
Severe lower abdominal pain in the weeks after, a positive pregnancy test with pain or bleeding, or heavy bleeding with faintness - these can point to an ectopic pregnancy and need same-day medical review.
Related treatments
Looking for something else?
-
Mirena coil
Long-acting hormonal contraception and heavy-period treatment.
Learn more -
Mini-pill
The progestogen-only pill - daily contraception.
Learn more -
Coil insertion
What a copper or hormonal coil fitting involves.
Learn more -
All tests & procedures
Every test and procedure we cover.
Learn more