Emergency Contraception
The morning-after pill as it’s commonly known as, is an emergency hormonal contraceptive pill which can be taken to follow unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy. It is recommended to take the pill as soon as possible after the sexual intercourse.
How Does The Morning After Pill Work?
The morning after pill works by delaying or preventing ovulation. There are two drugs available in the UK without a prescription that are used as an Emergency Hormonal Contraceptives (EHC). Levonelle one-step and EllaOne.
Levonelle uses a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone (levonorgestrel) to effect the ability of your body to ovulate. EllaOne stops the normal working of progesterone within your body as it contains ulipristal acetate.
Levonelle One-step can be used for no longer than 72 hours of unprotected sex in order to prevent pregnancy. EllaOne is to be taken no longer than 120 hours after unprotected sex.
The pharmacist will advise you as to which contraceptive pill is suitable for you during a consultation. The morning-after pill is not to be used regularly as it’s only for occasional emergency use when another form of contraceptives was not used or failed.