Life happens! Here’s all your options for plan B and emergency contraceptive pills in Hong Kong.
Accessing emergency contraceptive pills is crucial, whether you’re reading this for immediate guidance or just broadening your knowledge. Unplanned situations like a condom mishap during a romantic date, or unprotected sex following a meet-up with an online date can happen to anyone. This is no place for judgement here – we’re all about helping you figure out a plan B in Hong Kong.
What are the options of plan B pills in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, there are three emergency contraception methods available:
- Taking progestogen-only pill
- Taking ulipristal acetate pill
- Inserting a copper intra-uterine device (IUD)
1. Taking progestogen-only pill
Progestogen-only pill has to be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex: the sooner the better. There is a 2 to 3% chance that this method will fail, but if it happens, no severe effect will occur to the foetus. This type of pill can be taken even if you are currently using hormonal contraception or breastfeeding. However, note that there might be side effects such as headache, stomach pain, and fatigue.
2. Taking ulipristal acetate pill
The efficacy will be the same regardless of when you take ulipristal acetate pills, as long as it’s within the first 120 hours after unprotected intercourse; the failure rate is 1 to 2%. Breastfeeding should be refrained for a week, and the use of hormonal contraceptives within the same cycle is not recommended. Unlike progestogen-only pills, ulipristal acetate pills’ effect on the foetus is unknown. Other side effects are similar.
3. Inserting a copper intra-uterine device (IUD)
The insertion of a copper IUD should be done within the first five days after unprotected sex. Its failure rate is the lowest among the three options: only 0.09%. Distinct from the above one-time plan B pills, a copper IUD can continue its job for 5 to 10 years. You can either ask a healthcare provider to take it out after single-use, or keep it in your body and use it as regular contraception.
There might be vaginal bleeding after the insertion of a copper IUD, and some people will experience abdominal pain for 3 to 6 months. Your next period should arrive at the expected time, but it may be more painful and have a heavier flow. Also, your body might need over three months to adapt to the copper IUD if you continue its use as regular contraception.
Note that all the above three methods cannot prevent sexually-transmitted diseases, nor can they prevent pregnancy if fertilisation has already occurred. Read our guide on where to go for STD testing in Hong Kong.
Where can you get plan B in Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, emergency contraceptive pills cannot be obtained over the counter at pharmacies; they have to be prescribed by professional health care providers. Here are the places to get them:
- The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK)
- Public clinics
- Private clinics
1. The Family Planning Association of Hong Kong (FPAHK)
As a non-profit organisation, FPAHK strikes a good balance between the price and quality of service. If you’re married and/or above 26 years old, you can obtain plan B pills at FPAHK’s Birth Control Clinics. Appointment is not necessary. Here are the prices for your reference.
If you’re under 26, you need to make an appointment by calling the Youth Health Care Centres below. Here are the prices for your reference.
FPAHK has multiple Birth Control Clinics and Youth Health Care Centres across Hong Kong.
2. Public clinics
If you want to keep the cost of plan B affordable, visiting the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department of public clinics may be a good option. However, do keep in mind that as your case may potentially be classified as “semi-urgent”, waiting times can be quite long compared to that at private clinics. Hence, plan accordingly and ASAP if you need emergency contraceptive pills – you may have to wait several hours.
Here’s a list of all the A&E Departments in Hong Kong with their addresses and phone numbers. They are open 24/7.
3. Private clinics
If you have more budget and don’t want to wait, private clinics are an option for prompt care. Any licensed gynaecologist or GP would be able to help prescribe and administer pill B in Hong Kong. Check out the websites of individual clinics to learn about pricing and any follow-up procedures.
Some tried-and-tested private clinics to consider are:
Pulse Clinic, 2/F, 83 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong, p. 2389 8250
Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, 2 Village Road, Happy Valley, Hong Kong, p. 2835 8607
Gleneagles Hospital, 1 Nam Fung Path, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, p. 3153 9000
Central Health has multiple locations across Hong Kong.
[This article was originally published in March 2021 and updated in 2024 by Elaine Wong.]
