General Gynecology · Treatment
Emergency Contraception in Seoul: Pills and the Copper IUD
Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex using one of three methods: a levonorgestrel pill within 72 hours, an ulipristal acetate pill within 120 hours, or a copper IUD inserted within 5 days, which is over 99% effective and then provides long-term contraception. Somssi Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul offers all three on the same day; Dr. Yoon Ho-joo helps you choose based on timing, body weight, breastfeeding and your future contraception plans.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yoon Ho-joo, MD, PhD, OB/GYN specialist, Somssi Women's Clinic · Last updated October 2026
At a glance
Key facts
The essentials, based on how Somssi Women's Clinic performs this procedure or answers this question. Your plan is confirmed at consultation.
- Copper IUD: within 5 days of sex (or of estimated ovulation); over 99% effective; lasts up to 10 years
- Ulipristal acetate 30 mg: within 120 hours; the more effective pill
- Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg: within 72 hours; widely used; fine when breastfeeding
- Prescription: both pills are prescription-only in Korea
- Visit time: 15–20 minutes for a pill; about 30 minutes for IUD insertion
- Mechanism: pills delay ovulation; copper prevents fertilization — none ends an existing pregnancy
- Follow-up: pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late; IUD string check at 4–6 weeks
Emergency contraception at a glance
Three options after unprotected sex: a levonorgestrel pill, an ulipristal pill, or a copper IUD within 5 days.
- emergency contraception Korea
- copper IUD emergency
- morning after pill Seoul
- ulipristal
- levonorgestrel
- English-speaking gynecologist
- Copper IUD over 99%Most effective
- Within 5 daysIUD window
- Prescription onlyPills in Korea
- 15–30 minVisit
- Assess timingHours since sex and cycle day.
- Choose the methodPill or copper IUD.
- Same-day carePrescription or insertion.
- Follow upTest if late; IUD check at 4–6 weeks.
Illustration: Somssi Women's Clinic, Seoul. Schematic, not to scale; your plan is set by Dr. Yoon Ho-joo after examination.
What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception (EC) is any method used after sex to prevent pregnancy. It is a backup, not a replacement for regular contraception, but it is safe, effective and widely under-used because people assume it is too late or too complicated. Three methods are available at Somssi Women's Clinic: two kinds of emergency pill, and the copper intrauterine device (IUD).
None of these methods ends a pregnancy. The pills work by delaying ovulation; the copper IUD prevents fertilization and implantation by its effect on sperm and the uterine lining. If you are already pregnant, EC will neither work nor harm the pregnancy.
Somssi Women's Clinic is a surgical gynecology clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, founded in 2000 and led by Dr. Yoon Ho-joo, MD, PhD. In addition to its specialist reconstructive and cosmetic surgery, it provides routine gynecology, including same-day emergency contraception, for English-speaking residents and visitors.
When do you need emergency contraception?
- Sex without contraception, at any time in the cycle
- A condom that broke, slipped or was put on late
- Missed birth control pills, a late injection, a patch or ring left off too long
- An IUD that has been expelled or is found to be out of place
- Vomiting, diarrhea or a drug interaction that may have reduced your pill's effect
- Sexual assault; the clinic also provides STI testing and confidential support
Pregnancy is possible from sex on any day, but the risk is highest in the six days ending on the day of ovulation. Because sperm survive up to five days, the aim is to act before the egg is released or, with the copper IUD, to prevent fertilization regardless.
Comparing the three methods
| Method | Time window | Effectiveness | Best suited to | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Copper IUD | Within 5 days of unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after estimated ovulation | More than 99% | Anyone wanting the most reliable option and long-term contraception | Insertion visit of ~30 minutes; cramping; heavier periods possible; not affected by body weight or drug interactions |
| Ulipristal acetate 30 mg | Up to 120 hours | More effective than levonorgestrel, especially after 72 hours and near ovulation | Delay beyond 72 hours; higher body weight; close to ovulation | Wait 5 days before restarting hormonal contraception; less effective if progestin was taken recently |
| Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg | Up to 72 hours (reduced effect to 120 hours) | Prevents most expected pregnancies when taken early; declines daily | Early presentation; breastfeeding; wanting to restart hormonal contraception at once | May be less effective above about 70 kg or BMI 30; interactions with enzyme-inducing drugs |
For a detailed comparison of the two pills, including dosing, side effects and what to do if you vomit, read our page on the morning-after pill.
The copper IUD as emergency contraception
The copper IUD is the most effective emergency method and the only one that keeps protecting you afterward. Fitted within five days of unprotected sex, it reduces the chance of pregnancy to well under 1%. It is not affected by body weight, medicines or how close you are to ovulation, and it can stay in place for up to 10 years or be removed at any time, including at your next period if you only wanted it as a one-off.
Insertion takes a few minutes within a 30-minute visit, after a pregnancy test and, where indicated, screening for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Cramping and spotting for a few days are common. Our IUD insertion and removal page explains the procedure, the difference between copper and hormonal devices, and what to expect afterward.
What happens at the visit
Dr. Yoon asks when the sex took place, the date of your last period, your usual contraception, regular medicines and whether you are breastfeeding. For a pill, no examination is usually required and you leave with a prescription or take the dose at the clinic. For a copper IUD, a urine pregnancy test and a brief pelvic ultrasound are done first, then the device is placed.
If you want to avoid future emergencies, the same visit can set up regular contraception. The clinic also offers STI screening; chlamydia and gonorrhea tests become reliable one to two weeks after exposure and blood tests a few weeks later, so a return visit may be suggested.
What to bring
- Passport or Alien Registration Card
- Korean health insurance card if you have one; EC is generally non-covered, so expect to pay the consultation, prescription or device fee directly
- Your list of current medicines and supplements
After emergency contraception
| When | What to expect and do |
|---|---|
| First 3 hours (pills) | If you vomit, contact us; a repeat dose is usually needed |
| First week | Pills: possible nausea, headache, breast tenderness, spotting. IUD: cramps and spotting; pain relief as needed |
| Until next period | Use condoms if you took a pill. After levonorgestrel, hormonal contraception can start immediately with 7 days' backup; after ulipristal acetate, start after 5 days. The copper IUD protects at once |
| Next period | May be early, late, heavier or lighter than usual |
| 3 weeks after sex | Pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late, unusually light, or if you have pain or feel unwell |
| 4–6 weeks (IUD) | String check and review |
Effectiveness and what to expect honestly
The copper IUD fails in fewer than 1 in 100 uses. Emergency pills are good but imperfect: levonorgestrel prevents roughly 60–85% of the pregnancies that would otherwise occur when taken within 72 hours, and ulipristal acetate prevents more, particularly on days 3 to 5. Effectiveness drops with each day of delay, with higher body weight (for levonorgestrel), with further unprotected sex in the same cycle, and if ovulation has already happened.
No method is guaranteed. A pregnancy test three weeks after the event, or sooner if your period is late, is the only way to be certain. Results vary between individuals.
Risks, side effects and who should avoid which method
- Pills: nausea, headache, fatigue, breast tenderness and cycle changes that settle within days; no serious health risks; no effect on future fertility; levonorgestrel has no absolute contraindications, while ulipristal acetate is avoided in severe asthma on oral steroids and in confirmed pregnancy
- Copper IUD: cramping, heavier or longer periods, expulsion (about 2–10%, mostly in the first year), uterine perforation (about 1 in 1,000 insertions), infection in the first weeks if an untreated STI is present; not suitable with an undiagnosed uterine abnormality, current pelvic infection, copper allergy or Wilson's disease
- Drug interactions: enzyme-inducing medicines (certain epilepsy, tuberculosis and HIV drugs, St John's wort) reduce the pills' effect; the copper IUD is unaffected
- Breastfeeding: levonorgestrel and the copper IUD are compatible; ulipristal acetate labels advise expressing and discarding milk for about a week
Using emergency contraception more than once is safe, but it is a sign that a regular method would serve you better, and we are glad to help you choose one.
Why international patients choose Somssi
Korea's prescription-only rules can be confusing for a visitor or newcomer, so the clinic offers same-day appointments, consultation in English and a location 100 m from Gangnam Station Exit 1. It has been registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare for foreign patients since 2011 and selected as a Seoul Medical Tourism cooperation clinic in 2016.
You will be treated privately and without judgment, and you will leave with a clear plan. For more on how we work with visitors, see our international patients page and our overview of gynecological care in Seoul, or contact the clinic; acting early keeps every option open.
Private consultation
Talk it through with Dr. Yoon's team
English-speaking coordinators, a written treatment plan and a clear quote after your consultation. Same-day discharge for most procedures.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 09:30–18:00 (KST). Closed Thu, Sun and holidays. 7F Sangkyung Building, 120 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Dr. Yoon Ho-joo, MD, PhD
OB/GYN specialist, Catholic University of Korea. Founder of Somssi Women's Clinic (2000). Published on female sexual function after reconstructive vaginal surgery; speaker at ESSM, ISSWSH, WAS and SMSNA.
Questions patients ask
Frequently asked questions
Short, honest answers. For anything personal, a consultation is the right place to ask.
What is the most effective emergency contraception?
The copper IUD. Inserted within five days of unprotected sex, it is more than 99% effective and is not affected by body weight, drug interactions or timing within the cycle. It then provides contraception for up to 10 years, or can be removed at your next period if you prefer. Among the pills, ulipristal acetate is more effective than levonorgestrel.
How long after sex can I still use emergency contraception?
Levonorgestrel is licensed for 72 hours, ulipristal acetate for 120 hours, and the copper IUD can be fitted up to five days after sex, or up to five days after your estimated ovulation date if that is later. Every day of delay reduces how well the pills work, so contact us as soon as you can rather than waiting.
Do I need a prescription for emergency contraception in Korea?
Yes. Both emergency pills are prescription-only medicines in Korea; a pharmacy cannot sell them without a doctor's prescription. The clinic consultation is short and usually requires no examination, and you can fill the prescription at a nearby pharmacy or take the dose on site. The copper IUD is inserted at the clinic.
Is emergency contraception the same as the abortion pill?
No. Emergency contraception works before a pregnancy begins, by delaying ovulation or preventing fertilization. It does not end an implanted pregnancy and has not been shown to harm one. The abortion pill (mifepristone with misoprostol) is a different medicine used to end an established pregnancy and is not what we are describing here.
Can I get an IUD for emergency contraception and then keep it?
Yes, and many women do. The copper IUD placed as emergency contraception works immediately and continues to prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. If you would prefer a hormonal IUD long term, the copper device can be exchanged later, once pregnancy has been excluded. We discuss both options at the insertion visit.
Will emergency contraception protect me from STIs?
No. None of the methods protects against infection. If the sex was with a new or casual partner, or a condom failed, we recommend an STI screen. Chlamydia and gonorrhea tests are reliable from about one to two weeks after exposure, and blood tests for HIV and syphilis from a few weeks later, so a follow-up visit may be arranged.
Keep reading
Related treatments and guides
- Morning-After Contraceptive Options — the two emergency pills compared in detail: dosing, timing and effectiveness
- IUD Insertion and Removal — how the copper IUD is fitted and how it compares with hormonal devices
- STI & STD Screening — testing after unprotected sex and when results are reliable
- Cervical Screening (Pap Smear Test) — routine screening you can arrange at the same clinic
- Gynecological Care — everyday gynecology services for English-speaking women in Seoul
- International Patients — same-day appointments and consultation in English
Sources and medical review
- World Health Organization (WHO), fact sheet on emergency contraception
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Practice Bulletin on emergency contraception
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use
Next step
A consultation first. A decision only when you are ready.
Tell us what you are experiencing and what you hope to change. Dr. Yoon examines, measures and explains the options, including when no surgery is the right answer. International patients can start with an online consultation before travelling to Seoul.
