Unprotected sex is where you have sex without a condom or where you think the condom might not have worked because it was damaged or slipped off during sex. There are two serious consequences of having unprotected sex – pregnancy and contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). You will need to attend a sexual health clinic, your GP or pharmacy for STI tests and to get emergency contraception if you had unprotected vaginal sex and don’t want to become pregnant.

There are three options for emergency contraception – two pills (commonly called the “morning after pill”) and a contraceptive method called the IUD.The earlier you use emergency contraception, the more effective it will be in preventing a pregnancy. Please note, if you want to take a pill and it is more than 72 hours since you had unprotected sex, your pharmacist will not be able to provide medication. You will need to see your GP, sexual health service or CASH clinic.