Emergency contraception is a way of preventing pregnancy
after unprotected sex. Unprotected sex is sex without
using contraception or when contraception has failed.
Two methods are available:
-
emergency pills and
the
- copper
intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)
If you act quickly, emergency contraception will usually prevent
pregnancy but it does not protect you from sexually transmitted
infections. Emergency contraception does not cause an abortion.
You can get advice and free emergency
contraception pills from:
- any general practice, family planning or sexual and
reproductive health clinic, young person's clinic
- pharmacies (chemist shops) there are 307 across Glasgow and
Clyde for females aged 13 years plus who present within 72 hours of
unprotected sex. Some are open between 7 am and midnight,
weekends and bank holidays. NHS 24 can tell you where they are.
- some hospital accident and emergency departments
- most minor injury units
You can buy emergency contraception from most
pharmacies (chemist shops) if you are a female aged over 16
years.