Wilstead Pharmacy

• Access routine oral contraception for the first time or as a repeat, direct from our Pharmacy. 
• No GP or prescription required
• FREE (NHS-funded) service
• No appointment required – Walk-in or book online
• We also offer emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (“morning after pill”) is a tablet that a woman takes to help prevent pregnancy following unprotected sex. Unprotected sex includes when other forms of contraception have failed in some way, such as a condom coming off during sex.

How does Emergency Hormonal Contraception work?

Emergency Hormonal Contraception works by delaying the release of an egg during the ovulation phase of your menstrual cycle. Rising levels of luteinising hormone (LH) inside your body then trigger ovulation. The higher the levels of LH, the less likely the morning-after pill will prevent pregnancy. So, it’s important that the emergency contraceptive pill is taken as soon as possible following unprotected sex for it to be effective.

You can take two types of emergency contraception: ellaOne and Levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel is less effective once LH levels increase but ellaOne has been shown to still be effective later in the menstrual cycle.

Both types of emergency contraception need to be taken as soon as possible after sexual intercourse, preferably on the same day. Whilst emergency contraception need to be collected in-store, you can order and collect the tablets on the same day.