Information and Advice on Emergency Contraception
💊 Wondering whether to take the morning-after pill? Take the quiz!
Are you thinking about taking the morning-after pill? Or are you fearing you could be pregnant despite the morning-after pill?
This article provides information regarding efficacy, timing, side effects, and experiences.
Morning-After Pill – Your Self-Assessment
Are you wondering whether the morning-after pill is right for you? Answer three multiple choice questions and receive an immediate evaluation!
How Does the Morning-After Pill Work?
The emergency contraceptive pill postpones ovulation. You can only get pregnant if sperm is present in your body during your fertile window. This is around your time of ovulation. However, sperm survives in the female body for up to five days. By inhibiting or delaying ovulation, the morning-after pill aims to prevent sperm cells from being capable of fertilisation at the time of ovulation.
ℹ️ Should ovulation have occurred before taking the morning-after pill, the active ingredient in the pill may prevent a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterine wall.
The following hormones compose the active ingredients:
- Levonorgestrel (e.g.: Levonelle®)
- Ulipristal acetate (e.g.: EllaOne®)
One dose suffices for each particular cycle. However, other medications may counteract its effect.
When to Take the Morning-After Pill?
Both levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate should be taken before ovulation within the following time span:
- Levonorgestrel: Within 72 hours, i.e. three days, of sexual intercourse
- Ulipristal acetate: Within 120 hours, i.e. five days, of sexual intercourse
Both active ingredients show the best results if taken within 12 hours of sexual intercourse.
EllaOne® vs. Levonelle®
ellaOne® | LEvonelle® | |
---|---|---|
Active Ingredient | Ulipristal acetate | Levonorgestrel |
Time Frame | Within 120 hours (5 days) of sexual intercourse | Up to 72 hours, preferably within 12 hours of sexual intercourse |
Stats: Number of pregnancies (per 100 users) |
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- The use of EllaOne® is widespread in Europe and is now becoming increasingly popular in other countries.
- EllaOne®’s active ingredient, ulipristal acetate, works within 120 hours, i.e., five days, of sexual intercourse. It is more likely than others to be effective, even when ovulation is imminent.
- All other morning-after pills contain levonorgestrel, a concentrated synthetic version of the hormone progestin (the pregnancy hormone).
Can You Take the Morning-After Pill on Birth Control?
Perhaps you are on birth control but skipped two or more doses or are concerned about a possible pregnancy for other reasons. Now you are wondering whether you can take the morning-after pill on birth control: While it is not necessary to use Levonelle® if birth control was used as prescribed, Levonelle® does not cancel out birth control, nor does birth control cancel out Levonelle®. You can resume taking any form of birth control immediately following Levonelle® (active ingredient levonorgestrel).
This holds true for Levonelle® only. When using EllaOne® (active ingredient ulipristal acetate), you must wait at least five days before using any form of hormonal birth control (pill, patch, injection, ring). Otherwise, the medications may cancel each other out.
How Much Does the Morning-After Pill Cost and Where Can I Get It?
- The morning-after pill can be purchased over the counter at your local pharmacy.
- Prices range from £13.49 to £39.90, with EllaOne® being the more expensive choice.
- They are also available for free at GPs and hospital emergency departments.
- Minors under the age of 16 need a prescription to obtain emergency contraception pills.
Side Effects
The morning-after pill purposefully alters your hormone levels. This can be accompanied by side effects, including nausea, dizziness, abdominal pain, vomiting, and delayed menstruation. Some women experience spotting or inter-menstrual bleeding and other deviations from their regular cycle.
Experiences With the Morning-After Pill
"On 07/20, I had sex with my boyfriend. Right at the end, the condom burst... we drove to the pharmacy to get the morning-after pill. (...) Six days later, on 07/26, I had some spotting for three days (...) My period was supposed to start on Aug. 8, but it still has not come... Do I wait some more? Or do I need to do something? What is my next step?"
– This experience was shared (in German) on profemina's open forum.
If this is your situation, and you are concerned about whether you could be pregnant in spite of the morning-after pill, check out our article: Pregnant Despite Morning-After Pill for advice and information.
Where Do I Go From Here?
You probably feel the time crunch and sense the need to act quickly. At the same time, you might wonder whether the morning-after pill would even work for you — and what you would do if you ended up pregnant...
Try these tips:
- Take a deep breath and choose not to rush. You have at least a few hours if not a few days to decide what to do.
- You are doing what is most profitable to you right now: researching the facts. You may discern that your fertile window is still a long way off, making the morning-after pill unnecessary — or your ovulation has already taken place, making the morning-after pill ineffectual.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you want more information about the emergency contraceptive pill's side effects and applicability.
You may also like:
- 🤰 Online Pregnancy Test
- Pregnant Despite Morning-After Pill
- The Four Most Common Reasons for an Abortion
Source:
Everything you need to know before taking Plan B: The Cut (As of September 2021)
Emergency Contraception: UpToDate (As of October 2021)
FAQs
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The morning-after pill works by delaying an imminent ovulation. Depending on the active ingredient, it is effective if taken within 3 or 5 days of sexual intercourse. Consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist if unsure whether this is the right timing for the morning-after pill.
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A single dose, taken after intercourse, suffices. If the situation arises again within the same menstrual cycle, consult your doctor or pharmacist before repeating a dose. The morning-after pill alters your hormone levels. Therefore, it is not advisable to use it regularly in place of contraception. Carefully weigh whether using the morning-after pill as an emergency contraceptive is what you want.
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Every woman gets to decide whether it makes sense for her to take the morning-after pill. The effectiveness of the morning-after pill hinges on multiple factors, such as your current phase in your menstrual cycle or whether ovulation has yet to occur. Side effects should also be taken into account. Consult your doctor or pharmacist, if you wonder whether the morning-after pill is right for you.