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select a section askcab your life your money resources Emergency Contraception Last night when you were having sex, the condom slipped off or split. Now what? Don't panic, there are still some options available to you. If you have had unprotected sex, there are still some things you can to do prevent a pregnancy. You don't have to 'wait and see', worrying yourself sick about missed periods. If you get to your GP, Family Planning Clinic or Brook Advisory Clinic within 72 hours, you can choose between two kinds of emergency contraceptives. Both methods can prevent a woman's egg from implanting in her womb, in case it has been fertilised by a sperm. You may be offered a 'morning after' pill or an IUD (coil). Some local chemists are now selling the post-coital pill over the counter, without a prescription. It is expensive, and is definitely not meant to replace regular contraceptive methods. 'Morning after' pills Not a very correct name as they can be taken up to 72 hours later and still be effective. Their proper name is 'the post-coital pill' or PCP, and you can only get them on prescription. They are about 95% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex. The later they are taken, the less likely they are to be effective. The older type of PCP, called Schering PC4, is taken in two doses. The first two tablets must be taken within 72 hours, and two more are taken 12 hours later. It contains a combined dose of oestrogen and progesterone. With the older PCP, the most common side-effect is feeling sick, but taking the pills with food makes this less likely. If you vomit or have diarrhoea, call the clinic, they may need to prescribe you some more. The new PCP is called Levonelle-2, which contains progestogen only. You take one tablet within 72 hours, and one tablet 12 hours later. It is less likely to make you feel sick, but it can cause breast tenderness, headaches, dizziness and tiredness. The PCP should not be used regularly; it is for emergencies only. It’s been rumoured that using the PCP more than a certain number of times can make you sterile. These rumours are NOT true, so do not let them worry you. However, if you are needing emergency contraception so often, you are definitely putting yourself at risk of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. The IUD (coil) Method If the pill is not suitable for you, the doctor may offer you an IUD. The tiny device is inserted into the uterus (womb) through the vagina to prevent a pregnancy from developing. The procedure is usually done at a Family Planning Clinic. This method can be used up to five days after having unprotected sex. Disadvantages include cramps (like period pains), and a possibility of the IUD falling out. Remember, accidents can and do happen, so don't focus on feeling terrible about it; the people at the clinic will understand. But if you are frequently having unprotected sex, or find that barrier methods are failing, it is time to seriously re-think your contraception choices.

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