The morning-after pill, also known as emergency contraception, is a medication taken after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure to prevent pregnancy.

You may need the morning after pill if you have had unprotected sex, your regular birth control method fails, or you forget to take your contraceptive pill. It is recommended you take the morning after pill as soon as possible after sex for it to be effective, but definitely between 3 days (for levonorgestrel/ Levonelle) and 5 days (for ulipristal acetate/ EllaOne).

There are two main types: those containing levonorgestrel (e.g. Levonelle) and those containing ulipristal acetate (e.g. EllaOne). Levonorgestrel pills are most effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex, while ulipristal acetate can be effective for up to 120 hours (5 days). Both primarily work by delaying or preventing ovulation (the release of an egg), thus preventing fertilization. They are not abortion pills and will not terminate an existing pregnancy. The primary benefit is preventing an unintended pregnancy, offering a crucial backup when regular contraception fails or isn't used. While generally safe, they are not intended for routine use and do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Effectiveness decreases the longer you wait to take them, and can be influenced by factors like body weight.

**If you weigh more than 70kg, or have a BMI over 26, and are requesting Levonelle or levonorgestrel you will need to take a double dose of this medicine for the best effect. If you are less than 70kg you will just need to take a single dose. Only one dose of ellaOne is required in all cases. You will also need a double dose of Levonelle or levonorgestrel if you’re taking certain drugs that affect your liver.

Irregular bleeding

Headache

Nausea and vomiting

Dizziness

Abdominal pain

We recommend you take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after taking the morning after pill, especially if your period is missed or late.

If you vomit within three hours of taking your medicine, you may need to take another dose as soon as possible as your tablet may not have had enough time to be effective.

If you have severe lower abdominal pains you may need to seek help from emergency services, like out of hours.

** It’s important that you tell us which other medicines you’re taking — whether they’re prescription or medicines you’ve bought without a prescription. We need to know so that we can prescribe a suitable emergency contraception for you. The morning after pill can be less effective if taken with certain other drugs or with specific conditions.

** If you’ve taken ellaOne you should wait five days until you (re)start your regular oral contraception.

You can (re)start your oral contraception immediately after taking Levonelle or levonorgestrel.

For both, you should use condoms for seven days or until your next period. If you have any questions about your contraception, please message us.

If you have had unprotected sex, you could have caught an STI. To be sure, find a sexual health clinic near you for more information and testing.