Emergency contraception in West Berkshire

Information about free emergency contraception and the pharmacies that provide it

Free Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) treatment is available from pharmacies for females aged 13 to 24 years, for five days after unprotected sex or if a contraceptive method has failed.

The sooner you take action the more effective the treatment will be. If you are planning on visiting a pharmacy for EHC, we advise you to phone ahead to ensure the service will be available when you visit.

Women of any age can access free emergency contraception at their GP or at a local clinic.

Types of emergency contraception

There are two types of emergency contraception:

the emergency contraceptive pill (sometimes called the morning after pill) - this can be used up to five days after sex
the IUD (intrauterine device, or coil) - an IUD can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest time you could have ovulated

If you are not sure about timing you can discuss your options confidentially with a pharmacist.

Please note that if you take other medicines, these may reduce how well the emergency contraceptive pill works. You can find out more about which medicines may effect the emergency contraceptive pill on the NICE website, here.

Visit NHS Choices for more information about emergency contraception.

Pharmacies that provide emergency contraception

The pharmacies listed below provide an emergency hormonal contraception service, free to females aged 13 to 24 years. This service is commissioned and funded by West Berkshire Council's Public Health and Wellbeing team.