Morning After Pill FAQs

1. What is the morning-after pill?
2. What chemicals does the pill use?
3. How does it work?
4. How effective is it?
5. Can anyone use emergency contraceptive?
6. Is the morning-after-pill dangerous?
7. What could cause the morning-after-pill to be less effective?
8. What will happen after taking the treatment?
9. Does the morning-after-pill protect against STI's?
10. What are the alternatives to the morning-after-pill?

What is the morning-after-pill?

Emergency contraception, or commonly known as the morning-after-pill, are oral treatments that can be taken after unsafe sex to protect against unplanned pregnancies. At present there are two such treatments available, Levonelle and ellaOne, the former being effective up to three days and the latter is usable for up to five days after unprotected intercourse. Both treatments however, are more effective the sooner they are used.

What chemicals does the pill use?

The morning-after-pill contains synthetic progestogen, which occurs naturally in the human body and forms a large part of the reproductive cycle in women. By using emergency contraceptives containing, or the case of ellaOne at least affecting, progestogen, morning-after-pills prevent pregnancy with as little impact on the body as possible.

How does it work?

Levonelle and ellaOne protect against unplanned pregnancy by tricking the body into thinking that ovulation has already occurred, meaning that an egg is never released from the ovary as it would naturally do during the female cycle. They also prevent the womb lining from thickening, which a fertilised egg requires, as well as thickening the cervical mucus through which sperm would usually pass. Essentially these treatments work very similarly to current combined contraceptive pills.

How effective is the morning-after-pill?

The sooner the emergency contraception is taken, the more the effectiveness increases. Generally Levonelle has an 84% chance of protecting against pregnancy if taken within three days. This percentage jumps to 95% if taken within the first 12 to 24 hours. ellaOne in clinical trials protected 98 out of 100 women from pregnancy when it was taken within 5 days of unprotect intercourse.

Can anyone use emergency contraceptive?

Women over the ages of 18 can use emergency contraception should the need arise but it's always advised that they consult their doctors or a GUM clinic first.

Is the morning-after-pill dangerous?

Emergency contraception has been clinically tested and regulated to ensure that serious side effects or long term fertility issues do not arise when taken properly. However, the treatment should not be used if you are already pregnant, if you have used it once before during your menstrual cycle or are allergic to any of the chemicals and components of the individual medication. General side effects may include nausea, difficulty concentrating and changes to your menstrual cycle.

What could cause the morning-after-pill to be less effective?

The morning-after-pill may lose some of its effectiveness if you are ill or sick within three hours of using the treatment. In this situation, you should consult your doctor immediately for alternate treatments and assistance. Certain medications may also reduce the chances of protecting against pregnancy when using an emergency contraceptive which is why consultation with your doctor is recommended in general.

What will happen after taking the treatment?

If taken correctly and within enough time, the treatment should protect against contraceptive failure and protect against falling pregnant. However, the medication does not provide continual protection and once taken, a barrier contraceptive like condoms, should be used for protection.

Does the morning-after-pill protect against STI's?

No. Emergency contraceptives do not provide any form of protection against sexually transmitted infections.

What are the alternatives to the morning-after-pill?

An IUD or intrauterine device is the only alternative to the morning-after-pill. It's a small copper device that is inserted by a doctor or similar medication practitioner into the uterus up to five days after unprotected intercourse. Once inserted, the device can provide long term protection and is a popular form of reversible contraception in general.