Morning after pill

What is the morning after pill?

The morning after pill is a form of emergency contraception. Emergency contraception is birth control which should be used if your regular method of barrier protection hasn’t worked.^[1] This could be for a number of different reasons. For instance, you might have used a condom and notice it has ripped, or you might not have used any form of protection at all.

It can also be used if you regularly take the contraceptive pill, but have forgotten or missed a dose and then had unprotected sex afterwards.

How does the morning after pill work?

The morning after pill works by stopping ovulation from happening, but only when you take it after having unprotected sex if your regular means of contraception hasn’t worked. It’s also suitable as a means of emergency contraception if you regularly take the contraceptive pill and have missed a dose and had unprotected sex on the same day.

It works to block the release of an egg (or ovum) so that fertilisation by sperm can’t take place. It also stops the lining of the uterine wall from building up and makes cervical fluid thicker, so that sperm can’t get through and reach its desired target (the egg).

How effective is the morning after pill?

The morning after pill must be taken within a specific time frame for it to be effective. The sooner you can take it after you know you’ve had unprotected sex, the better.

There are a few different types of emergency contraception and we’ll discuss the best option for you, based on your circumstances. For instance, the Levonelle pill and others containing Levonorgestrel can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, whilst ellaOne and others containing Ulipristal acetate can be taken up to five days afterwards.

There will always be a small chance you could still become pregnant, even if you’ve taken the morning after pill after unprotected sex, but the percentage risks are quite small.^[2] For ellaOne, it’s estimated that 1-2% of women who take it will become pregnant afterward, whilst for Levonelle the number is between 0.6% and 2.6%.

How to take the morning after pill

Usually, you’ll take a morning after pill with a glass of water. As with most medications, each morning after pill has its own specific instructions on how it should be taken. The one you’ll take will be determined by your medical history, any health conditions you currently have and treatments you take for them.

You can find all the information you’ll need to know on our product pages. Always make sure you follow the advice which is on the patient information leaflet in your tablet box and chat to your prescriber if you have any questions or need additional information on it.

Sometimes, the morning after pill can make you feel a bit nauseous and tired. These side effects should pass quickly. It’s important to know that if you are sick within three hours of taking it, then it’s possible that the tablet won’t have absorbed it fully. If that happens, chat to your clinician about your symptoms as you may need a second dose.

When do I need to take the morning after pill?

You should take the morning after pill if you’ve had unprotected sex, or if you’ve had sex and your usual method of contraception (such as a condom) has failed and you don’t want to become pregnant.

It should be taken within 72 hours, ideally, though ellaOne, among other pills containing ulipristal acetate, can be taken up to 120 hours after having unprotected sex, and it’s 98% effective.

If you’re already pregnant then the morning after pill will not be effective, or suitable to take. In these circumstances, you should speak to your clinician or go to your local sexual health clinic to seek help and get advice on what to do next.

How long does it take the morning after pill to work?

A morning after pill, if taken straight away and with the appropriate medical advice, should be effective in preventing pregnancy immediately.

If you’re unwell after taking it, for instance, if you’re sick or have an upset stomach, it’s worth checking in with your prescriber to seek advice on what to do next as you might need to take a second dose if it hasn’t been fully absorbed.

Do I need a pregnancy test after taking the morning after pill?

If you’re still concerned you might be pregnant after taking the morning after pill, the best course of action is to wait until your next period is due and then take a pregnancy test.

If you have an irregular menstrual cycle, then wait 21 days after having unprotected sex before taking a pregnancy test.

It’s worth noting that sometimes the morning after pill can delay the onset of a period, too. Occasionally, stress and worry can make things feel worse, and you’re not alone in feeling that way. It’s a perfectly normal and understandable reaction to have. If you have any questions or queries, have a chat with our clinician and they’ll be able to help you.

Will the morning after pill affect my menstrual cycle?

Yes, it can. The morning after pill can delay the onset of a period; Some women also experience spotting (bleeding) before they get their next period. Occasionally, stress and worry can make things feel worse, and you’re not alone in feeling that way. It’s a perfectly normal and understandable reaction to have. If you have any questions or queries, have a chat with your clinician and they’ll be able to help you.