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If you have had unprotected sex in the last five days or you think that your contraceptive may have failed, you may be able to have emergency contraception to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

There are two main types of emergency contraception available:

• the emergency contraceptive pill which can be taken up to 120 hours (five days) after sex
• the intrauterine device [IUD] (sometimes called the coil), which can be fitted up to five days after sex or later in some circumstances.

You can access emergency contraception from either: 

• Sexual Health Services Nottingham & Nottinghamshire (external link)
• Your GP – most GPs offer contraception, ask your local surgery for details. If you do not have a GP you can find details of surgeries near you on NHS Choices GPs website (external link)
• NHS 111 – to find local services 24 hours a day, dial 111 or visit the NHS-111 website (external link)
• Primary Care 24 – this GP out-of-hours service can be accessed during evenings and weekends by appointment only. If you need to attend, please ring for an appointment by dialling 111
• Pharmacies in some areas also offer emergency contraceptive pills. Search on the NHS Choices Pharmacies website (external link) to find one near you.