Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.
If you didn’t use contraception the last time you had sex — or if your contraception didn’t work — you may want to use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy.
There are two types of emergency contraception available in Aotearoa:
- The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) — the ECP is a pill you can take in the three days after unprotected sex. It has also been called the morning after pill. The ECP can work for up to four days after sex, but the sooner you take it the better
- The copper IUD — the copper IUD can be used as a form of emergency contraception. It needs to be put in up to five days after unprotected sex. You can keep it in for 5-10 years for ongoing contraception — or you can get it removed earlier.
