UK women's risk of unplanned pregnancy

Almost half of UK women have been at risk of an unplanned pregnancy in the past year, according to new research.

A survey by emergency contraception pill Levonelle discovered that 44% of women aged 18-35 had either had unprotected sex or experienced a failed condom, missed pill or illness that may affect contraception.

And most of these women didn't do anything about it. The figures show that 61% of women - that's 1.9 million - did not get any advice about emergency contraception when they needed it.

Worried and embarrassed

Surprisingly, more than 40% of women were prepared to hope for the best and risk not having any emergency conception, 36% didn't think they were at high risk and 10% of women felt embarrassed about asking their pharmacist or doctor for emergency contraception.

'These figures don't surprise me,' says Janet Pearce, Nurse Supervisor for the Marie Stopes call centre. 'There are always a number of reasons why women don't go and get help. They're either embarrassed, frightened, worried about potential side-effects or simply have a lack of knowledge about their options.'

And Janet's advice if women are worried or embarrassed is quite simple. 'Go and get help, even if you need to make up a story that the condom broke to tell your doctor or pharmacist. You shouldn't let the thought of being judged by someone else put you off.'

Learn the options

A lot of women also still don't know that you can take the emergency contraception pill up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.

'Most people still think of it as a morning after pill,' says Janet Pearce. 'The reality is something can happen on a Saturday night and you still have time to get to your doctor or pharmacist on Monday or even Tuesday.'

'There's also the option of getting a copper coil or IUD up to 5 days after unprotected sex,' says Janet. 'This is one of the most effective methods and is 98% successful.'

And there are different places to get emergency contraception from. 'Your local Family Planning Clinic can help, as well as your doctor and pharmacist,' says Janet. 'Doctors and nurses are all human as well, and many have had their own mishaps, so you mustn't let embarrassment stop you.'

More help and advice

- Find out more about contraception options
- Work out your own menstrual cycle using our ovulation calculator
- Talking to your teen about sex and relationships
- The facts about abortion
- Am I pregnant? Early signs of pregnancy
- The Family Planning Association
- Marie Stopes