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Emergency contraception <h2 class="sectHeading">Types of emergency contraception</h2><p><a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/family-care-and-support/pregnancy-and-family-planning/contraception-and-family-planning">Contraception choices</a> like condoms, the female contraceptive pill, the injection etc., are much cheaper and more effective in the long term. There are side effects to having emergency contraception – frequent use can also make your periods unpredictable and irregular.</p> <span> <div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note">​​​</i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p> <b></b>Emergency contraception does not protect you in any way against HIV/AIDS and STIs and should not be your main form of birth control.​ See <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/local%20and%20communities/community-health-and-safety/contagious-and-chronic-diseases/get-wise-to-stis">Get wise to STIs</a>. </p></div></div></span><p><strong>There are two main options available:</strong> </p><ul><li> <b>The emergency pill</b> is an oral contraception method that can be taken by the woman up to 72 hours after having sex. It is most effective in the first 24 hours after having sex.</li><li> <b>The IUD</b> emergency contraceptive can be inserted <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">at a clinic </a>120 hours after sex. This method is proven effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy too.</li></ul><p>Emergency pills and IUD devices are available at all <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">City Health clinics</a> on request and are free. </p><h2 class="sectHeading">Physical reactions  </h2><p> <strong>If you use emergency contraception, the following symptoms may occur:</strong></p><ul><li>Normal period and menstrual cycle may change – you may get your period later or earlier or it could be lighter or heavier</li><li>Tender breasts</li><li>Dizziness or headaches</li><li>Nausea or vomiting</li></ul><div class="notification with-heading dark-copy pink bg-light-grey"><div class="graphic with-border"> <i class="info note"></i> </div><div class="desc"><h4>Please note</h4><p>The pill may cause you to vomit. If you do vomit within two hours of taking the pill, you’ll need to take another one.</p></div></div> <span> <h2 class="sectHeading">​​​​​​​​​​Visit a City clinic</h2> <p>If you need guidance around your contraception choices, or need to find a clinic that can help you with emergency contraception, please visit our <a href="https://www.capetown.gov.za/Family%20and%20home/See-all-City-facilities/Our-service-facilities/Clinics%20and%20healthcare%20facilities">clinics and healthcare facilities listing page</a> for a facility near you. </p></span>GP0|#56410459-1009-4a1a-b041-2b5e5e3eea6b;L0|#056410459-1009-4a1a-b041-2b5e5e3eea6b|Emergency contraception;GTSet|#ef3a64a2-d764-44bc-9d69-3a63d3fadea1;GPP|#f15ff79b-8e99-4fb7-a759-dfcb94d874e2;GPP|#063a6668-d6cb-4c45-adaf-f559697b85fd;GPP|#245ec7aa-a528-4cd3-bcac-597c292db711;GP0|#02fd3315-e718-4d19-a2b8-26dde239755e;L0|#002fd3315-e718-4d19-a2b8-26dde239755e|Emergency contraception;GPP|#8c1a435d-1a59-4906-9aa9-46d5f5bb3d48;GPP|#090e430c-3809-42d5-a80b-caea93b2beaf;GP0|#be0dc609-1d36-48e5-b64c-a5ad57e89be9;L0|#0be0dc609-1d36-48e5-b64c-a5ad57e89be9|Emergency contraception;GPP|#2e91f663-1e15-45c7-b8f5-fbb8c225a695;GPP|#df0a3405-0ca1-4617-8047-15a034219fee;GP0|#48c11807-5f74-4c22-a228-7ef5a1e3df28;L0|#048c11807-5f74-4c22-a228-7ef5a1e3df28|Emergency contraception;GPP|#efa62315-f7b4-4cf5-8d1b-b074b98de032;GPP|#36dcb5fe-6bfc-4ae9-92d7-8bd08d1f6414;GPP|#af370586-9ba3-404a-9d6e-02066ca42752You can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy if you have had unprotected sex less than 72 hours ago.

 

 

 

 

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