Emergency contraception can be used if a contraceptive method fails (for instance, if a condom splits, or a pill is forgotten or taken late) or no contraception is used. Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

There are three forms of emergency contraception:

Emergency contraception is available free from our sexual health clinics, as well as GPs, NHS walk-in centres and some hospital emergency departments.

You can also find a list of pharmacies providing emergency contraception for free on Public Health Dorset's website.