The morning-after pill, AKA Emergency Contraception, is among the greatest medical innovations of the modern age. Designed to prevent conception when other birth control methods have failed — or been forgotten — it can also reduce the stress that often comes with unprotected sex. Here’s everything you need to know…
What is the morning-after pill?
So, there’s a very good chance that while you’ve heard of the morning-after pill, you may not be that familiar with what it is and how it works.
As its name suggests, the morning-after pill is a tablet that can be taken after unprotected sex, ie sex without contraception or birth control, to prevent a pregnancy from occurring. It’s not a replacement for regular contraception, so you can’t take it all the time, but it can be used for those times when things haven’t quite gone to plan.
They have slightly different names around the world including Plan B, Ella, and My Way. And while they do the same job, they don’t all work in the same way. This means deciding which one is right for you might depend on how long ago you had sex and your medical history, as well as any other contraception or medication you might be using.
Some morning-after pills are available over the counter from the pharmacy, while others are prescription-only.
Why would I need the morning-after pill?
You might need the morning-after pill if you had sex without using any contraception or if you think your usual contraception method has failed. This might include situations like forgetting to take your pill, having sex without a condom when you’re not using other contraception, a condom breaking, or any other reason that you’ve found yourself in a situation worrying you might get pregnant.
If you usually use another form of contraception but you’re worried you might need the morning-after pill for any reason, then speak to a pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible.
How does the morning-after pill work?
Morning-after pills work by delaying ovulation until after the life expectancy of sperm has passed. Regardless of brand name, they generally work in one of two ways. But they both delay the release of an egg from your ovaries until after there are no sperm left to fertilize it, ie, they’ve died waiting. Here are the two different active ingredients that make the pills so effective:
Levonorgestrel
Levonorgestrel, found in Plan B, is a form of progesterone. This prevents you from ovulating on time by blocking your Luteinizing hormone from kick-starting ovulation.
Morning-after pills containing Levonorgestrel can be used up to 72 hours, or 3 days after you had unprotected sex. But the sooner you take it, the more likely it is to work. And it works best if used within 12 hours of unprotected sex. If, though, your BMI is higher than 26 or you weigh more than 70 kg the dose should be doubled.
You can start or continue other hormonal contraception immediately after taking Levonorgestrel-containing pills. It is also safe to use while breastfeeding.
Ulipristal acetate
This is the second type of morning-after pill, which includes ellaOne, and generally, you’ll need a prescription to get it. Ulipristal acetate, a progesterone receptor modulator, works to delay ovulation. But it will also thin the lining of your uterus, which is why it’s also a front-line treatment for Endometriosis. They can be taken up to 120 hours, or 5 days, after unprotected sex, but it also works better the earlier you take it.
It is important to note that ellaOne can interfere with other hormonal contraception, and hormonal contraception can also interfere with how well it works. You should wait 5 days, and use condoms or avoid sex, before starting another form of hormonal contraception after taking ellaOne. You should also avoid breastfeeding for a week after taking it.
Is there any reason I shouldn’t use the morning-after pill?
If you have severe asthma, Ulipristal acetate may not be appropriate for you. Talk to a health professional for advice about this. In addition, as breastfeeding should be avoided for a week after taking ellaOne, this might not be appropriate for you.
Does taking the morning-after pill guarantee I won’t get pregnant?
In a word, no. The morning-after pill works by delaying ovulation. This means that if you’ve already ovulated it will not work.
And even if you haven’t ovulated yet, there’s still a small chance you could get pregnant. The earlier you take the pill after you have unprotected sex, the more likely it is to work.
Now, here’s the really important bit: Up to 2% of women who take the morning-after pill correctly will still become pregnant. The likelihood of this depends on several factors, though, and this percentage is just an average estimate. It is important to take a pregnancy test 3 weeks after taking the pill to make sure. Also, if you vomit within 3 hours of taking the morning-after pill then you’ll need to take it again.
Important note: Morning-after pills do not continue to protect you from pregnancy. If you have unprotected sex again after you have taken it then you will be at risk of pregnancy again. You can take them more than once in a cycle if you need to, but it’s important to talk to a health professional about longer-term contraception.
What side effects does it cause?
Because the morning-after pills delay ovulation, they may also disrupt your menstrual cycle. It might make your next period earlier or later than usual. And it could also make it more painful than usual.
The pills make you feel nauseous or give you a headache or abdominal pain. General bleurgh aside, there aren’t any serious side effects associated with using the morning-after pill.
Where can I get the morning-after pill?
There are a lot of places you can get a morning-after pill. You can get it for free from some places, other places you have to buy it.
For instance, if you’re in the UK, Levonorgestrel is available both over the counter and free of charge on the NHS, while Ulipristal acetate requires a prescription. In the EU and America, you can get Levonorgestrel over the counter, and Ulipristal acetate also requires a prescription.
Is the morning-after pill the same as abortion pills?
No. The morning-after pills work to prevent pregnancy. Whereas abortion pills work to end a pregnancy that has already occurred.
Are there any other options for emergency contraception?
Yes. The copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception. It can be inserted up to 5 days after you had unprotected sex, or the earliest time you might have ovulated. And it works to prevent fertilization or implantation of the egg into your uterus.
A copper IUD needs to be fitted by a trained doctor or nurse, But, depending on which one you have, it can stay in place for 5-10 years as long-term contraception. Plus, they’re generally a more effective form of emergency contraception than morning-after pills.
The morning-after pill: TLDR
As a form of emergency contraception, the morning-after pill comes in two forms. The first Levonorgestrel, or Plan B, is available over the counter, while Ulipristal acetate, also known as ellaOne, requires a prescription. They both, though, work to stop you ovulating, which, in turn, can prevent conception.
In both cases, the sooner you take them after the unprotected sex, the more effective they are. But they can still work up to 3-5 days after, depending on which one you’re taking. And they’re pretty effective – 98% of users won’t get pregnant after using it. But some will. For instance, if you vomit after taking it, or if you’ve already ovulated, then chances are it’s not going to help you.
Fair warning, gang, if you have unprotected sex again after taking the morning-after pill, you’ll need another dose. It’s a one-time deal. There are, though, longer-term ways to prevent pregnancy, even in an emergency sitch.
A copper IUD, or coil, can prevent conception if implanted within 5 days of the unprotected sex, and will continue to prevent it for 5-10 years. So it’s well worth considering.
