Emergency contraception and NFP: What to do if contraception fails?
If contraception fails during your fertile days, knowing your own cycle can be crucial. With NFP, you know which days in your cycle you can get pregnant – and that helps you make the right decision about emergency contraception.
Scenario 1: Ovulation has not yet taken place
If ovulation has not yet taken place, you can take the ‘morning-after pill’, which is available without a prescription:
- Ulipristal acetate (ellaOne®): up to five days after unprotected sex
- Levonorgestrel (Pidana®): up to three days afterwards
Both active ingredients delay or prevent ovulation – but they are only effective if ovulation has not yet taken place.
Scenario 2: Ovulation is imminent
In this case, ulipristal acetate is recommended, as it can lower LH levels that have already risen and thus prevent ovulation at short notice – unlike levonorgestrel, which is less effective in this situation.
Scenario 3: Ovulation has already taken place
Once ovulation has occurred, the morning-after pill is no longer effective. The sperm will then encounter an egg that has already been released from the follicle. In this case, other options may be considered:
- Copper IUD or copper chain: These can be fitted by gynaecologists up to five days after sexual intercourse. The copper ions kill the sperm and prevent implantation.
You can find out more in our article Copper IUD as emergency contraception.
NFP as a guide
If you track your cycle using NFP, you’ll know:
- Whether you’re in your fertile phase
- Whether ovulation has probably already taken place (based on the rise in temperature)
- Which form of emergency contraception is appropriate
This gives you greater clarity in a stressful situation – and helps you make the best decision together with a gynaecologist.