Contraceptive failure or having unprotected sex can be a stressful situation. If you (or a family member) has had unprotected sex and are worried about being pregnant, you may want to take an emergency contraceptive pill. This is also called the ‘morning after pill’. It is most effective the sooner it is taken. Sometimes getting to the Doctor is not always possible or practical. An accredited ECP pharmacist is available in most pharmacies for consultation and provision of the ECP if appropriate.
MidCentral Community Pharmacy Group (MCPG) has received funding to provide the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) from participating pharmacies following a consultation with an accredited pharmacist. This is provided free of charge for those women aged 25 years or younger who meet the NZ Health System Eligibility Criteria to receive publicly funded health and disability services. Ask to speak with one of the pharmacists.
The Morning After Pill, also called Emergency Contraception, is a form of birth control that is taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse. In New Zealand the brand name is Postinor-1.
The emergency contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy by:
- delaying the release of an egg from your ovary until sperm are no longer active, and
- changing the lining of your uterus so a fertilised egg cannot implant and develop.
It doesn’t work once the egg has been fertilised.
It doesn’t harm you or a developing embryo.
The emergency contraceptive pill will be most effective if you take it as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Within 24 hours is best, but it can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that levonorgestrel (the drug in Postinor-1) prevented:
95% of expected pregnancies when taken within 24 hours of sex
85% if taken within 25–48 hours
58% if taken within 49–72 hours
You can take it at any point in your menstrual cycle, including during menstruation (period).
Yes. No form of birth control is completely effective. The Morning After Pill is less effective than most other forms of birth control. Estimates of its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy range from 95% to as little as 58% for women of average weight when taken within three days of unprotected sex.
The ECP is not as effective for heavier women and these women would be better to have an IUD inserted. Women who weigh more than 70kg are classed as heavier women in this instance.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any other medication you are taking as you may need extra ECPs or a copper IUD. If you vomit within three hours of taking the ECP you’ll need to get another one.
An alternative method of emergency contraception is the copper IUD. It is inserted by a doctor or trained nurse up to five days after the egg is released, and it’s almost 100% effective.
It has the advantage of providing long-term contraception and being effective for heavier women.
A few women have mild side effects e.g. feel sick or vomit. You can take the ECP with food to lessen the chance you will feel sick.
There is a very small risk of an ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy outside the womb) if the ECP fails. This can occur with any pregnancy and can be dangerous. If you have cramping or bleeding, see a doctor, or go back to the clinics
If you think you could be pregnant/hapū, have a pregnancy test three to four weeks after you use the ECP.
Yes, you can buy it from a chemist or get it from our clinics or your doctor on prescription.
You can have it at home just in case and having it handy means you can take it as soon as you realise there is a problem.
If you vomit within three hours of taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you’ll need another pill. Contact your doctor or family planning clinic.
Talk to your doctor if you have a medical condition or history that means you shouldn’t take oral contraceptives (such as deep vein thrombosis, blood clotting disorder, liver disease).
You can still take the emergency contraceptive pill if you’re on a course of antibiotics.
Call Healthline 0800 611 116 if you are unsure what you should do.
Use a barrier contraceptive (condoms) until your next period.
Your next period will probably come at the expected time, but it may be early or late, and it could be heavier than usual.
If you don’t get your next period, or it is very light, you should have a pregnancy test.
Do not take the emergency contraceptive pill if you’ve had a positive pregnancy test.
The emergency contraceptive pill will not cause an abortion if you are already pregnant.
If you take the emergency contraceptive pill and still become pregnant, there is no evidence that the baby will be harmed.
Taking the emergency contraceptive pill won’t affect your chances of getting pregnant in the future.
The emergency contraceptive pill is generally safe to take while breastfeeding – but check with your doctor if you’re concerned.