I need contraception

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First you need to assess whether you are at an immediate risk of pregnancy and whether you need emergency contraception. Please answer a few questions to help you decide

Pregnancy risk assessment

Have you had sex in the last 3 weeks

Yes
No

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception
Additionally, if you have had sex more than 3 weeks ago without a condom or the condom failed, AND you are not using a regular method of contraception you should consider doing a pregnancy test.

Did you use a condom?

Yes
No

You may benefit from having a test for STIs and HIV - please see STI risk assessment and HIV risk assessment sections

Did the condom split or come off?

Yes
No

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception

Are you currently using contraception?

Yes - pills
Yes - injection/implant or coil
No

Have you been taking your pills correctly?

Yes
No

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception

Are you concerned that your long-acting method may not be working properly or has run out?

Yes
No

This suggests that you do not need emergency contraception but you may need ongoing contraception

Have you had any unprotected sex in the last 5 days?

Yes
No

If you have had unprotected sex within the last 5 days you should think about whether you would like to have emergency contraception. If you have had unprotected sex within the last 3 days you should also consider whether you have been at risk of HIV - please see our HIV and PEPSE risk assessment tools.

If you have had unprotected sex more than 5 days ago it is now too late to take the tablet or pill form of emergency contraception (also known as the morning after pill). However you might still be able to have an emergency IUD fitted. Please visit our pages on emergency contraception. You may also want to consider if you have been an risk of STIs and HIV

Please click here for information on emergency contraception

Some longer acting methods ( such as the injection, implant and IUD or IUS) are more effective at preventing pregnancy than the pill because you don’t have to worry about remembering to take something every day. You can discuss these options with a doctor or nurse at your GP surgery or young person’s clinic when you attend for supplies of your pill.
You can find further information about the pill or long-acting methods on the contraception pages of our website.

Contraceptive methods such as the such as the injection, implant and IUD or IUS are more effective at preventing pregnancy than the pill because you don’t have to worry about remembering to take something every day. You can discuss these options with the doctor or nurse at your GP surgery or young persons clinic. If the GP or young persons clinic is unable to provide the method you choose they may refer you into one of the Unity clinics

Please note, as well as contraception, you may benefit from having a test for STIs and HIV – please see STI risk assessment and PEPSE assessment sections

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