Morning After Pill
Emergency Contraception in Oxford
Woodstock Road Chemist offers a confidential consultation service for anyone who needs emergency contraception, sometimes known as the morning after pill. Our pharmacy team can assess your situation, check suitability, and supply appropriate treatment where suitable, without the need for a GP appointment. Appointments can be booked online, or you’re welcome to visit us in person. If you have any questions before booking, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to help.
About Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is used to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if contraception has failed, such as a missed pill or a condom breaking. It works by delaying or preventing ovulation and is most effective the sooner it’s taken after intercourse. It is intended for occasional use and is not a replacement for regular contraception.
Who the Service Is For
Our emergency contraception service is suitable for anyone who has had unprotected sex or a contraceptive failure and would like to reduce the risk of pregnancy. This includes situations such as:
- A missed or late contraceptive pill
- A condom breaking, slipping, or being used incorrectly
- Not using contraception at all during sex
- Uncertainty about whether contraception was used correctly
How the Consultation Works
During your consultation, a pharmacist will ask about when you had unprotected sex, your general health, current medications, and your usual contraception, if any. This helps determine which option is most suitable and confirms that treatment can be safely supplied. This is a confidential conversation, and you’re welcome to ask questions or raise any concerns.
Where appropriate, treatment can be supplied directly by the pharmacist. If emergency contraception isn’t suitable for you, or if more time has passed than a particular method allows, the pharmacist can advise on alternative options, including referral for a copper coil, which remains effective for longer.
Treatment Options
There are different types of emergency contraception, and suitability depends on factors such as how much time has passed and your individual health. Options may include:
- A single-dose tablet effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
- A single-dose tablet effective for a longer window, up to 120 hours after unprotected sex
- The copper intrauterine device (IUD), which can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex and offers the most effective option, though this requires referral for fitting
The sooner emergency contraception is taken or fitted, the more effective it tends to be, so it’s best not to delay seeking advice.
Addressing Common Concerns
Needing emergency contraception can feel stressful, and our pharmacists aim to make the process quick, private, and free from judgement.
Effectiveness and timing
- No method of emergency contraception is 100% effective, but taken as soon as possible, they significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy
- If you vomit within a few hours of taking the tablet, contact the pharmacy, as you may need a further dose
- Emergency contraception does not protect against future acts of unprotected sex within the same cycle
Side effects
- Common side effects include nausea, headache, tiredness, or a change to the timing of your next period
- Side effects are usually mild and short-lived
- If your period is more than 7 days late, unusually light, or you have any concerns, a pregnancy test is recommended
Ongoing contraception
- Emergency contraception is not intended for regular use and does not replace ongoing contraception
- If you don’t currently use regular contraception, the pharmacist can discuss options or refer you to an appropriate service
- If your usual contraception failed, it’s worth discussing this to check whether it’s still the right method for you
If you have specific concerns, for example around timing, an existing health condition, or previous use of emergency contraception, please mention this when booking so we can direct you appropriately.
How to Book
You can book a consultation online, or come into the pharmacy directly, since timing matters and we can usually see people quickly. When booking or visiting:
- Try to note the approximate date and time of the unprotected sex
- Mention any current medications or health conditions to discuss with the pharmacist
- Let us know your usual method of contraception, if any
Additionally, call us on 01865515226 if you have any questions, or visit us at 59 Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6HJ.
Emergency contraception is most effective when accessed quickly, and our pharmacy team is here to provide confidential, judgement-free support when you need it.
This page is intended for general information and does not replace individual clinical advice. Service availability and pricing may change and should be confirmed directly with Woodstock Road Chemist at the time of booking.
FAQs
Answers to common questions we receive about the morning after pill
Pharmacists can supply emergency contraception to people under 16, but this involves an additional assessment to check that the person understands the treatment and their situation, in line with standard safeguarding practice. In some cases, further advice or support may also be offered.
No, emergency contraception has no effect on future fertility. It works on your current cycle only and does not have any lasting impact on your ability to become pregnant in the future.
While it’s not harmful to take emergency contraception more than once in a cycle if needed, doing so isn’t ideal, as it may be less effective with repeated use close together and is not intended as a regular contraceptive method. If this is happening frequently, it’s worth discussing a more reliable, ongoing method of contraception.
No, emergency contraception only reduces the risk of pregnancy and offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections. If you’re concerned about possible exposure to an infection, it’s worth discussing STI testing as well.
If your regular contraception may have failed, for example due to a missed pill or vomiting after taking it, emergency contraception can still be appropriate. It’s helpful to mention your regular method during the consultation, as this may affect which emergency option is recommended and how you should proceed with your regular contraception afterwards.
A pregnancy test is generally most reliable from around 3 weeks after unprotected sex, or if your period is more than 7 days late, whichever comes first. Testing too early can give an inaccurate result, so it’s worth waiting until this point unless advised otherwise.