Contraception - Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your contraceptive method has failed – for example, a condom has split or you’ve missed a pill.

There are 2 types:

• The EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL – Levonelle or ellaOne (sometimes called the morning after pill) You need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 72 hours (3 days) (Levonelle) or 120 hours (5 days)(ellaOne) of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the more effective it’ll be.
• The IUCD (intrauterine device, or coil) – The IUCD can be fitted up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated, for it to be effective.

The IUCD is more effective than the contraceptive pill at preventing pregnancy – less than 1% of women who use the IUCD get pregnant.

Visit NHS 111 Wales for further information on emergency contraception.

Page last reviewed: 7th October 2026