FAQs: Morning after pills

It is a pill to prevent pregnancy, which is taken after intercourse has occurred.

If you at risk of pregnancy i.e. had unprotected sex, or if your birth control method fails.

Morning after pills work mainly by delaying or stopping ovulation. Sperm survive for up to 5 days after intercourse. If ovulation does not occur in that time, fertilisation will not happen. The lining of the womb may also be effected, decreasing the chance if implantation.

No, emergency contraception does not cause an abortion, it prevents conception or implantation.

Emergency contraception is more effective the sooner it is taken. Take the medication (a single tablet) as soon as possible after unprotected sex, not necessarily the next morning.

There are several options. As well as online from Dr Fox, you can see your GP, out-of-hours GP (telephone 111), go to a pharmacy (most, not all), sexual health or family planning clinics, walk in centres. Further information from NHS Choices.

Levonelle should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) and ellaOne within 120 hours (5 days) of intercourse.

Levonelle can be taken whilst breastfeeding. The manufacture advices against taking ellaOne whilst breastfeeding because of a lack of data.

No, it is important to use barrier contraception, particularly after ellaOne, as it can only be used once per cycle. See next FAQ.

No, only a physical barrier such as condoms will prevent STIs

No, there is interaction which causes disruption, you must take additional precautions.

• ellaOne interferes with regular hormonal contraception. Continue your normal contraception but barrier methods (condoms or caps) are also required for 14 days on the normal (combined oral contraceptive) pill, patch, ring or injection and 9 days on the mini pill (progesterone only).
• Levonelle – continue your normal contraception. A barrier method is also required for 9 days on the normal combined pill, patch, ring, or injection and 2 days on the mini pill (progesterone only).

No, there is no effect of alcohol on the morning after pill. Alcohol can indirectly affect contraceptives – e.g. causing you to forget to use them, or putting on a condom incorrectly.

If you're sick within two hours of taking Levonelle, or three hours of taking ellaOne, the medicine cannot be guaranteed to work and you will need to take another dose or have an IUD fitted.

You would not be protected and would need a further dose, if Levonelle was taken, or an alternative emergency contraceptive method (coil), if EllaOne was taken.

Levonelle and ellaOne can make your period a few days earlier or later than usual. Your next period should start within the next month. If you don't get your period by the time you expect it or 3 weeks after unprotected intercourse, you should have a pregnancy test.

EllaOne is not licensed to take more than once per cycle. Thus it is very important to use barrier method for the rest of the cycle, as this medication cannot be repeated. Levonelle can be used as often as is necessary.

An IUD would be recommended.

Yes, you could just use Levonelle, but it is strongly advised to start using a regular birth control method because it will be more effective than relying on emergency contraception. ellaOne can be used only once per menstrual cycle.