Birth Control After Sex

Options include emergency contraceptive pills and a copper intrauterine device fitted by a trained clinician. The suitable choice depends on when sex occurred, medicines you use, health factors and whether you want ongoing contraception.

Emergency contraceptive pills mainly work by delaying ovulation. They do not end an established pregnancy. A copper intrauterine device interferes with fertilisation and can then remain in place as ongoing contraception if that suits you.

Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. It also does not provide reliable protection for further unprotected sex later in the cycle, so ask when to start or resume a regular method and how long to use condoms.

Contact a pharmacy, sexual-health service or clinician today and state when unprotected sex happened. Mention any regular medicines, recent hormonal contraception and relevant medical conditions, because these details can change which option is suitable.

Ask when to take a pregnancy test; testing may be needed if the next period is late, unusually light or absent. Arrange sexually transmitted infection testing when there was possible exposure. If bleeding after sex keeps happening, book a gynaecological assessment rather than assuming contraception caused it.

Seek urgent care for severe or one-sided lower abdominal pain, shoulder-tip pain, fainting or heavy bleeding, particularly if a pregnancy test is positive or a period is late. These symptoms need prompt assessment for pregnancy complications. Vomiting soon after an emergency contraceptive pill may affect absorption, so contact a pharmacist or clinician promptly for advice.

Bleeding after sex has several possible causes, including cervical irritation and infections such as chlamydia. Cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer can also present with bleeding after sex, but the symptom alone does not establish either diagnosis.

Ask which emergency option fits the timing and your medicines, when regular contraception becomes effective, whether you need a pregnancy test and when infection screening is appropriate. If intercourse was not consensual, you can also request confidential medical, safeguarding and emotional support.