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Contraception - Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your contraceptive method has failed – for example, a condom has split or you’ve missed a pill.

There are two types:

  • The EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL – Levonelle or ellaOne (sometimes called the morning after pill) You need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 3 days (Levonelle) or 5 days (ellaOne) of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the more effective it’ll be.
  • The IUCD (intrauterine device, or coil) – The IUCD can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated, for it to be effective.

The IUCD is more effective than the contraceptive pill at preventing pregnancy – less than 1% of women who use the IUCD get pregnant.

Visit NHS 111 Wales for further information on emergency contraception.

Accessing emergency contraception

Find your local sexual health service provider on the NHS 111 Wales website.

Other options for accessing emergency contraception are community pharmacies – please check with the pharmacy before attending as there needs to be a trained pharmacist on duty to provide emergency contraception and they will be able to advise:

Community Pharmacy

Emergency Contraception – Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Wrexham and Flintshire – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Conwy and Denbighshire – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Gwynedd and Anglesey – Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Emergency contraception – Cardiff and Vale University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health – Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Emergency contraception (morning after pill) – Hywel Dda University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Sexual Health – Powys Teaching Health Board (nhs.wales)

Sexual Health Services – Swansea Bay University Health Board (nhs.wales)

Page last reviewed: 18th June 2025