General Practice, by video or in person
Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill)
The signs, the danger signs that mean hospital now, and how to see a doctor by video from anywhere in Nigeria.
Signs to look for
Emergency Contraception (Morning-After Pill)
- Sex without any contraception
- A condom that split, slipped or came off
- Missed contraceptive pills, or an injection that is late
- Sex you did not agree to
- Not being sure a method was used correctly
Emergency contraception lowers the chance of pregnancy after sex without contraception, or when a method has failed, such as a condom that split or pills that were missed. There are three kinds. Levonorgestrel pills, sold under several brand names including Postinor, must be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of sex. Ulipristal acetate pills, where a pharmacy stocks them, work up to 5 days (120 hours) after sex, and work better than levonorgestrel between the third and fifth day. A copper coil (IUD) fitted at a clinic within 5 days of sex is the most effective option, and it then stays in as ongoing contraception. With every kind, the sooner the better. Emergency pills are not abortion pills: they work by delaying the release of an egg, and they cannot end or harm a pregnancy that has already started. They also do not protect you if you have sex again later in the same cycle.
Medically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Symptoms
- Sex without any contraception
- A condom that split, slipped or came off
- Missed contraceptive pills, or an injection that is late
- Sex you did not agree to
- Not being sure a method was used correctly
When to See a Doctor
If you were forced or pressured into sex, go to a hospital or a sexual assault referral centre today, such as the Mirabel Centre at LASUTH in Lagos, where you can get emergency contraception, tests, medicine to prevent HIV and support in one visit. Go to a hospital now if, in the weeks after emergency contraception, you have sudden severe pain low in the tummy, especially on one side, with bleeding, dizziness or fainting, which can be an ectopic pregnancy. Otherwise act today: a pharmacist can sell you an emergency pill, and a doctor can advise by video on which kind suits you, including if you take medicines for HIV, TB or epilepsy, which can stop the pills working as well, or if you are overweight, when the pill may not be suitable and a coil may be better. If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill, ask a pharmacist or doctor straight away, because you may need another one.
Treatment options
- A levonorgestrel emergency pill within 3 days (72 hours) of sex, from a pharmacy or on a doctor's prescription
- An ulipristal acetate emergency pill within 5 days (120 hours) of sex, where it is available
- A copper coil (IUD) fitted at a clinic within 5 days of sex, the most effective option, which then stays as contraception
- A pregnancy test three weeks after the sex, or sooner if your period is late
- A regular method to start afterwards, chosen with a doctor, with condoms until it is working
- Tests for sexually transmitted infections where there is a risk
Common Questions
Is the morning-after pill an abortion pill?
No. Emergency contraceptive pills work by delaying the release of an egg. The World Health Organization states that they do not cause an abortion and cannot harm a pregnancy that has already started.
How late can I take it?
A levonorgestrel pill within 3 days (72 hours) of sex, and an ulipristal acetate pill within 5 days (120 hours). A copper coil can be fitted within 5 days. Each works better the sooner it is used, so do not wait for the morning if you can get it tonight.
Is it safe to use emergency contraception more than once?
For most women, yes: the World Health Organization finds repeated use poses no known health risk. It can upset your periods, and it protects less well than a regular method, so if you are using it often, a method such as the implant, the injection or the pill will protect you better. Women with some health conditions should talk to a doctor about frequent use.
Can I take it while breastfeeding?
Yes, an emergency pill can be used while breastfeeding. Tell the pharmacist or doctor you are breastfeeding, because the advice differs between the two kinds of pill.
Will it affect my fertility?
No. Emergency pills do not affect your future fertility, and you can still become pregnant later in the same cycle, so use condoms or start a regular method straight away.
Need Help?
A doctor on a video call, who advises on the right test and treatment, and tells you if you need to be seen in person.
See a doctor by videoIf any of the danger signs on this page applies, go to the nearest hospital now instead.
Find a verified general practice specialist near you.
General Practice in Lagos →General Practice in Abuja →General Practice in Port Harcourt →General Practice in Jos →General Practice in Ibadan →Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Emergency contraception. World Health Organization. Fact sheet.
- Emergency contraception. NHS. Patient information.
- Emergency contraceptive pill: who can take it. NHS. Patient information.
- Emergency contraceptive pill: side effects and risks. NHS. Patient information.
- Ulipristal acetate versus levonorgestrel for emergency contraception: a randomised non-inferiority trial and meta-analysis. Glasier AF et al., The Lancet 375(9714):555-562, 2010. Peer-reviewed.
- Family planning: a global handbook for providers, 2018 edition. World Health Organization, 2018. Clinical guideline.
Links last checked 30 October 2026.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.