Emergency contraception
Things can go wrong with contraception. Or sometimes you forget to use it. If this happens, you can consider using the emergency contraceptive pill (“morning-after pill”) or emergency coil to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Emergency contraceptive pill
The emergency contraceptive pill is a hormone tablet that is taken in a single dose. It can delay ovulation and thus prevent fertilisation of the egg cell. It should ideally be taken on the same day or the day following unprotected sexual intercourse or a failure in contraception.
You can buy the emergency contraceptive pill in a pharmacy without a prescription. You will also be offered advice. At night or at the weekend, you can go to an out-of-hours pharmacy or the emergency department of the nearest hospital.
Other important information
- You should take the emergency contraceptive pill as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse – ideally within 12 hours. The longer the delay, the greater the risk that you will become pregnant. From the fifth day after unprotected intercourse it is too late for the emergency contraceptive pill.
- If your menstrual period comes more or less on the day you expect and the volume of blood is the same as usual, it is a sign that you are not pregnant. If you are unsure, you should take a pregnancy test.
- If you are already pregnant, the emergency contraceptive pill will not terminate the pregnancy. The embryo will not be harmed by the pill.
- Some medicines can reduce the effect of the pill. If you take any medicines regularly, or took them regularly until recently, consult a pharmacist or doctor.
- If you are very overweight, the pill may not work so well.
- Some women get headaches, nausea or stomach cramps after taking the pill. You may also experience blood spotting, tender breasts or vomiting. Some women feel dizzy or drowsy after taking the pill, and in this case they should avoid driving a vehicle.
Cost emergency contraceptive pill
The emergency contraceptive pill costs between 16 and 30 euros (sometimes more).
Women with statutory health insurance are covered for the cost of the pill until their 22nd birthday, if they obtain a doctor’s prescription before they buy it.
In some cities, women on low incomes are covered for the cost of contraceptives. To see whether the cost of contraceptives is covered in your city, look in the database, using the search term “Assumption of costs”.
Emergency coil
The emergency coil is a copper coil that is inserted into the uterus. It is an option for emergency contraception if the contraceptive failure took place more than five days before and you wish to use a copper coil as a method of contraception from now on.
If an egg has already been fertilised following a contraceptive failure, the coil may prevent the fertilised egg cell embedding itself in the uterus. As soon as the egg cell has embedded itself, you are pregnant and it is too late for the emergency coil to take effect.
The emergency coil can only be inserted by a doctor. The doctor will always check beforehand to see whether you are already pregnant.
Cost emergency coil
The emergency coil costs between 120 and 300 euros, depending on the brand. This sum covers medical advice, the examination and the insertion of the coil. The recommended regular medical check-ups cost an additional 20–50 euros.
Young women with statutory health insurance may be covered for all or part of the cost of the coil until their 22nd birthday. Ask your doctor.
In some cities, women on low incomes are covered for the cost of contraceptives. To see whether the cost of contraceptives is covered in your city, look in the database, using the search term “Assumption of costs”.
