Levonorgestrel (Levonelle) and ellaOne are two types of emergency contraceptives that you can take. Each has its own benefits. To ensure their effectiveness, you need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 3 days (Levonorgestrel) or 5 days (ellaOne) of having unprotected sex. The sooner you take the pill, the more effective it will be. It’s important to note that you should only use this form of contraception in emergencies, and not as a regular form of contraception.

Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone produced by the ovaries. It is believed to prevent or delay the release of an egg (ovulation). It does not interfere with your regular method of contraception.

ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which prevents progesterone from working normally. This also prevents or delays the release of an egg. Both are believed to be 95% effective if taken within their specific time frames.

The emergency contraceptive pill can make your next period earlier, later or more painful than usual. If you’re sick (vomit) within 2 hours of taking Levonelle or 3 hours of taking ellaOne, go to your GP, pharmacist or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, as you’ll need to take another dose or have an IUD fitted. The IUD is more effective than the contraceptive pill at preventing pregnancy – less than 1% of women who use the IUD get pregnant.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/emergency-contraception/

If you need any help or advice, feel free to contact us at enquiries@thefamilychemist.co.uk or your GP.

Taking the morning-after pill within 24 hours after unprotected sex can be about 95% effective, but its effectiveness decreases over time. By 72 hours, the effectiveness of the pill can drop to about 58%. It’s important to note that the morning-after pill is not a substitute for regular birth control methods due to its lower efficacy.er time. By 72 hours, effectiveness can drop to about 58%. It’s not a substitute for regular birth control methods due to its lower efficacy.

Using the morning-after pill as a regular form of contraception is not recommended since it is less effective than regular contraceptive methods and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is advisable to use regular contraceptive methods such as the pill, condom, or IUD, for ongoing birth control.