Emergency contraceptive pill (ECP)

• If you’ve had sex without contraception

• If your normal contraception fails — like a condom breaking

• If you’ve missed one or more contraceptive pills — talk with us, you may or may not need the ECP depending on how you normally take your pill

• You’ve been vomiting (throwing up) or had diarrhoea (runny poos) while on the pill

• You’ve missed your contraceptive injection

The ECP does:

• Stop or delay the release of an egg from your ovaries — until the sperm in your body aren’t active anymore
• Prevent sperm from fertilising your egg by changing the way sperm moves in your body

The ECP doesn’t:       

• Work once your egg has been fertilised
• Harm you or a developing embryo

The ECP:

• Contains progestogen — a very safe hormone
• Doesn't make it harder for you to become hapū in the future
• Isn’t harmful if you use it more than once
• Won’t cause an abortion if you’re already hapū

If you weigh less than 70kg, the ECP is typically 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Don’t worry!

Most people weigh more than 70kg. We can give you two ECPs — or you might be able to use the copper IUD for emergency contraception. The copper IUD can be put in up to five days after you’ve had unprotected sex.

The copper IUD is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. If you want, the copper IUD can be left in and used for long term contraception.

Make sure you let us know if you are taking any other medication when you see us for an ECP.

Advantages:

• Can be used if another type of contraception fails

• Reduces your chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex

• Can be used up to 72 hours after unprotected sex

• You can get and keep an ECP for future use

• Available from our clinics, pharmacies, and many other healthcare providers

Disadvantages:

• Should ideally be taken no more than 72 hours after unprotected sex — but may work for up to 96 hours

• You need to take two pills if you — like most adults in Aotearoa — weigh more than 70kg

• Doesn’t work once your egg has been fertilised

Some people have mild side effects when they take the ECP. Side effects can include:

• Nausea (feeling sick)
• Vomiting (throwing up)

It’s a good idea to take the ECP with food — this helps with the nausea.

If you vomit within three hours of taking the ECP, you’ll need to get another dose.

There’s a very small risk of an ectopic pregnancy if the ECP fails.

Ectopic pregnancy is pregnancy outside the uterus. This can occur with any pregnancy, and can be dangerous. If you have cramping or bleeding, come see us, or your regular doctor.

If you think you might be pregnant, do a pregnancy test 3-4 weeks after you use the ECP.

The ECP doesn’t protect you from sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

Condoms, oral dams, and lube are your best protection against STIs.

If you’ve had sex without a condom or oral dam, it’s a good idea to get an STI check.

It’s not a good idea to use the ECP as your regular contraception.

The ECP isn’t as effective as other types of contraception. It’s a good idea to have your contraception sorted before you have sex.

The ECP doesn’t protect you from sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

You can get the ECP from us, or your regular doctor, with a prescription. It’s a good idea to keep an ECP around — just in case you have an emergency.

You can get the ECP from us, or your regular doctor, with a prescription. The ECP is free with a prescription.

You can also get the ECP from most pharmacies.

If you buy the ECP from a pharmacy, and you're under 25 years old, the consultation with the pharmacist will be free – but you may have to pay a prescription charge. If you're over 25 years old, the ECP will usually cost between $35 and $50.

We are sexual wellness experts. You might find it scary or embarrassing to talk about getting the ECP — but we’ve seen and heard it all before.

Anyone can visit our clinics. If you want to talk to us, we want to talk to you.

Book an appointment