Emergency Contraception
If you have had sex without using any contraception, and don't want to get pregnant, or if you have been using a condom and it has broken or come off, we can provide the 'morning after pill'. The pill we use is 'Levonelle 2'. Although it can be used up to 72 hours after sex it is most effective if it is taken as soon as possible within this time.
Levonelle is thought to prevent 95% of pregnancies if taken in the first 24 hours, but only 60% or less if taken after 49 hours after sex. It is therefore important to get medical advice as soon as possible in the day, even at weekends or over a bank holiday.
If it is more than 72 hours but less than 5 days since the unprotected sex it may be possible to fit an 'emergency' coil. This method is not suitable for all women but once again you should seek advice from us urgently.
If you think you need emergency contraception you should ask for an emergency appointment with the doctor. You do not have to tell the receptionist what this appointment is for but it is helpful if you are able to do so. If you are unable to get to the surgery we may be able to prescribe the 'morning after pill' without seeing you.
You can ask for the doctor to ring you back at the end of surgery and you must be willing to answer some questions over the telephone.
Alternatively some pharmacists in the Sittingbourne area are able to dispense Levonelle 2 for you without a prescription and without charge. These pharmacies include Boots and the Memorial Pharmacy but you should ring them first to check that a pharmacist with the correct training is available, and you will have to answer some questions first to check it is safe for the pharmacist to issue this treatment to you.
Please read this information carefully:
EMERGENCY PILLS AND HOW THEY WORK
You have been given 2 pills. You should take them both together as soon as you get them, even if the information leaflet with the pills advises taking them separately. The pills contain the hormone progesterone and work by making the lining of the womb unsuitable for a pregnancy to develop, and sometimes also by delaying the release of an egg from your ovary. This is NOT the same as an abortion. If you become pregnant after taking it, there is NO evidence that it will harm the baby.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Your period may arrive earlier, on time or later than usual. It may also be heavier or lighter than usual. It is advisable to make a routine appointment to return to the surgery in 3-4 weeks to check that the emergency contraception has worked and to discuss future contraception if necessary. It is ESSENTIAL to return if you do not have a period within 3-4 weeks of taking the emergency pills or if your period is very light, or much shorter than usual or unusually painful. In any of these cases you should bring an early morning sample of urine with you in a clean container.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE SICK
If you are sick within 3 hours of taking the pills you should contact the surgery or the 'out of hours service' for advice as a further dose will be needed.
CONTRACEPTION
Remember to use condoms until your next period-the morning after pill will not protect against further unprotected sex. If you are already on the pill, continue to take it but use condoms in addition for the next 7 days If you are planning to start the pill, you may start it on the first day of your next period.
WARNING * Emergency contraception does not protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. If you are worried about a sexually transmitted infection you should contact the GUM clinic.(Genito-urinary Medicine clinic)