Emergency Contraception Options in Japan: Where can I find morning-after pills?

As an OB-GYN, I want to help you understand emergency contraception options in Japan. I hope this article answers your questions and helps you make informed decisions about emergency contraception.

What is Emergency Contraception?

Emergency contraception refers to the contraceptive options that can decrease the risk of pregnancy after intercourse but before the establishment of a pregnancy. In short, it refers to products that prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

Available Options

In many countries, including the United States, both oral emergency contraception pills and the copper IUD are available as emergency contraception options. The copper IUD is actually the most effective form of emergency contraception when inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex. However, in Japan, the copper IUD is no longer available, and oral emergency contraception pills are currently the only option.

How Emergency Contraception Pills Work

Emergency contraception pills, also known as morning-after pills, are medications designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. They work by preventing fertilization of the egg. However, it’s important to understand that morning-after pills won’t be effective if implantation has already occurred. This is why timing is crucial.

Timing is Everything

For maximum effectiveness, morning-after pills should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective it will be. Every hour counts, so don’t delay seeking treatment if you need emergency contraception.

Not a Regular Birth Control Method

Emergency contraception was developed as a backup option for unexpected situations. It should not replace regular contraceptive methods like condoms or birth control pills. Reserve morning-after pills for genuine emergencies when your primary birth control fails or wasn’t used.

Follow-up Care Matters

After taking morning-after pills, monitor your next menstrual period. If your period is more than a week late, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist to rule out pregnancy.

Important Takeaways

Emergency contraception is an effective tool for preventing unplanned pregnancy when used correctly and promptly. However, it’s not meant to be your primary form of birth control. Have an open discussion with your partner about contraception and consider more reliable long-term methods like condoms, birth control pills, or IUDs (like Mirena).

A Message from Ashiya Women’s Clinic

At our clinic, we prescribe levonorgestrel tablets for emergency contraception. The treatment involves taking just one pill. The total cost, including consultation, is 8,800 yen. Don’t waste precious time worrying – if you think you need emergency contraception, come in right away. Time is of the essence. We accept walk-ins during business hours. You won’t face any judgment or lectures here. Just one tablet of morning-after pill will make a big difference for your future！Please seek care promptly if you need it.

If you prefer assistance in English or Chinese, an additional language fee of 2,200 yen will be charged. Normally, the language fee is 4,400 yen, but for emergency contraception cases, we reduce it to half the regular price, so you won’t hesitate due to the cost. For online consultations, a system usage fee of 1,100 yen will be added. If you wish to have the pill mailed to you, a shipping fee of 550 yen will be charged. However, please note that emergency contraception pills must be taken within 72 hours, and mailing may not be a practical option in many cases.

For example, if you need assistance in English and choose an online consultation to have emergency contraception pills mailed to you, the total charge will be 12,450 yen (8,800 + 1,100 + 2,000 + 550 yen). Please be aware that Japanese health insurance does not cover this service.

At Ashiya Women’s Clinic, we welcome walk-in patients. However, patients with appointments will be given priority, which means walk-in patients may experience a wait, depending on the clinic’s schedule. To minimize waiting times, we encourage patients to make an appointment through our online reservation system.

Ashiya Women’s Clinic is conveniently located just a 3-minute walk from JR Ashiya Station, with easy access from both Kobe and Osaka. We provide expert gynecological consultations in English, and patients from all over the Kansai region visit us for our specialized care. If you are looking for a clinic where you can comfortably discuss your concerns in English, we are here to support you.

Remember: Emergency contraception is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. If you think you might need a morning-after pill, don’t hesitate to seek medical care.

Ashiya Women’s Clinic
🚉 3-min walk from JR Ashiya Station
📍 4th floor, 5-19 Oharacho, Ashiya, Hyogo, Japan　Google Map
🕒 Mon, Tue, Thur, Fri：10:00〜13:00 / 15:00〜19:00
　 Sat：10:00〜17:00（Reservations only after 13:00）
Closed on Wed, Sun, and National Holidays
💻 Online booking available – no phone reservations.
🏠Official Website