Morning-After Pill FAQs

The ten most frequently asked questions about the morning-after pill

1. What is the morning-after pill?
2. How does the morning-after pill work?
3. How effective is it?
4. Who is it suitable for?
5. Is the morning-after pill right for me?
6. Is it true that the morning-after pill can make you sick?
7. Do I have any other options?
8. How do I take the pill?
9. Will the morning-after pill protect me from future pregnancies?
10. Will the morning-after pill protect me from sexually transmitted diseases?

1. What is the morning-after pill?

The morning-after pill is a type of emergency contraceptive that can be taken after you’ve had unprotected sex or if your usual contraceptive method has let you down, to stop you from falling pregnant.

Levonelle One Step or Levonelle 1500 is the most commonly used morning-after pill. It can be taken up to three days after you’ve had unprotected intercourse. The latest version of the morning-after pill is known as ellaOne. It can effectively prevent pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected sex.

2. How does the morning-after pill work?

Both Levonelle and ellaOne contain a high dose of synthetic progestogen which works to stop an egg from being released; in other words, they inhibit ovulation. The morning-after pill also prevents the womb lining from thickening so that a fertilised egg can’t attach itself and grow there.

3. How effective is it?

The morning-after pill is at its most effective the sooner you take it after you’ve experienced contraceptive failure or you’ve had unprotected sex. Levonelle is 95% effective within the first 24 hours, and the rate drops to 85% on the second and 58% on the third day. ellaOne stopped two out of every 100 pregnancies during clinical trials, when it was taken within the prescribed five days, however it is still more effective the earlier you use it.

4. Who is it suitable for?

The morning-after pill can be taken by most healthy women over 18 who has had unprotected sex or who experienced contraceptive failure. Levonelle is available from some pharmacies if you are over 16, but if you buy it online you should be 18 or older. The morning after-pill should not be used if you are already pregnant.

5. Is the morning-after pill right for me?

Most women can use the morning-after pill, even if they’ve been recommended not to take regular daily hormonal contraception like the pill by a doctor. This includes women who have a history of breast cancer in their family as well as women over 35 who smoke. As the birth-control isn’t active for a long period of time in the body, the chances of side effective are very slim. There is also no concrete evidence that the morning-after pill can have long term negative effective on your fertility, provided it is taken correctly.

The efficacy of the morning-after pill may be affected by certain medications, so before taking it, mention any medications you are taking to your doctor or during your online consultation.

6. Is it true that the morning-after pill can make you sick?

Compared to older versions of the morning-after pill, the Levonelle and ellaOne are half as likely to cause nausea. Less than a quarter of women who take it experiencing nausea and only one in every 60 women is actually physically sick after taking the morning after pill.

7. Do I have any other options?

The IUD (intra uterine device) is a small copper and plastic device that is fitted to the womb and prevents an egg from being fertilised. It is 98% effective and can be fitted up to five days after unprotected sex. After it’s fitted, the IUD can be left in place to provide further contraceptive protection for between three to ten years.

The IUD needs to be fitted by a doctor or nurse, however not all doctors or clinics are able to provide this service. IUDs can successfully prevent pregnancy in most women and is a very effective long term contraceptive, but it can be uncomfortable to wear for some women.

8. How do I take the pill?

Morning-after pills are now available in packs of one. You should swallow the pill with a full glass of water as soon as possible after you’ve had unprotected sex. The old method used to require you to take two lower dose tablets, 12 hours apart.

9. Will the morning-after pill protect me from future pregnancies?

The morning-after pill will only be effective at stopping pregnancy once during your menstrual cycle. After taking the morning after pill, you should wear a condom until your next period, which is when your new cycle starts. Continue using your regular contraceptive method, even if it is hormonal, but then use a condom as well.

10. Will the morning-after pill protect me from sexually transmitted diseases?

The morning-after pill doesn’t provide any protection against sexually transmitted infections or diseases. To protect against infections, you should wear a condom.