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Pharmacy Services

Emergency Hormonal Contraception

Access to the morning after pill to protect against pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed.

Access to the morning after pill to protect against pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed.

Access our emergency hormonal contraception service

Have you recently had unprotected sex and want to avoid falling pregnant? Did the condom break, your diaphragm or ring fail or did you simply forget to take your pill?

If you wish to take the morning-after pill, we can help. 

Visit your local Whitworth Pharmacy today to find out more about emergency contraception.

The morning-after pill is a form of emergency contraception that can protect against pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed. 

There are two types of pills commonly given in the UK. These pills should help prevent pregnancy by delaying or stopping the release of an egg and stopping a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. 

You must get to your pharmacy as soon as possible. Levonelle must be taken within 72 hours (3 days) and ellaOne within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.

If you need emergency contraception, simply pop into your local Whitworth pharmacy and speak to one of our friendly pharmacists. 

You will be taken to a private consultation room where you can discuss your needs in complete confidentiality. 

The pharmacist will ask you a few questions to assess your medical history and to check that the morning-after pill is suitable for you. We may need to provide some personal information such as your name, phone number or address. 

If the pill is suitable for you, you may be entitled to it free of charge (only where there is a commissioned service available), be directed to our WIPS service or pay for it when purchasing over the counter. 

If the pill is not suitable for you, you’ll be provided with additional support and advice. This is likely to include getting in touch with your local family planning clinic or speaking to your GP.

Please ask about the cost of the emergency hormonal contraception pill at your local pharmacy. Many pharmacies operate a commissioned service that allows them to prescribe the morning-after pill for free. Speak to your local Whitworth pharmacy for more information.

Anyone over the age of 16 can be offered the morning-after pill following approval by one of our pharmacists. If you are under 16, the pharmacist may be able to offer you emergency contraception via the NHS or put you in contact with your local family planning clinic.

Your pharmacist will give you a detailed consultation before prescribing the morning-after pill to assess whether it would be suitable for you. 

You won’t be given the morning-after pill if you’re already pregnant, or had unprotected sex more than 5 days ago.

It may also be unsuitable if you have a digestive disease such as Crohn’s Disease, take epilepsy medicines, are breastfeeding, you’ve previously had an ectopic pregnancy or if you’re taking Ritonavir for an HIV infection.

  • How effective is the morning-after pill?
    The morning-after pill is estimated to prevent 95% of pregnancies if taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse, 85% between 25-48 hours and 58% between 48-72 hours afterwards. 

    How do you take the morning-after pill?
    Always read the information leaflet that comes with the tablet then take the tablet as soon as possible. You should swallow it whole with water. If you are sick, you will need to take another tablet. 

If you forgot to take your pill, the condom burst, your diaphragm or ring failed or you had unprotected sex, then the morning-after pill might be appropriate. They can help prevent pregnancy, by delaying or stopping the release of an egg, or by preventing a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. Call into your local Whitworth Pharmacy today for confidential advice.