The Morning After Pill

The morning after pill, also referred to as the emergency contraceptive pill or ‘Plan B’, is a medication used to prevent an unplanned pregnancy following unprotected sex, or if other means of contraception have been compromised.

The morning after pill works by delaying the release of a mature egg from the ovaries (known as ovulation) to prevent fertilisation.

The active ingredients in morning after pills, such as ulipristal acetate in ellaOne® or levonorgestrel in Levonelle and Levonorgestrel, temporarily block progesterone receptors in the body.

This prevents a rise in luteinising hormone (LH), which normally triggers the release of an egg from the ovaries.

It is important to note that the morning after pill does not affect an existing pregnancy and cannot terminate a fertilised egg or embryo.

Moreover, the morning after pill is an emergency contraceptive. Individuals seeking ongoing and consistent birth control are recommended to consult a pharmacist about daily contraceptives.

Levonorgestrel (generic Levonelle) and Levonelle are formulated to help prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. ellaOne® can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

It is recommended to consult a pharmacist or doctor to determine the most suitable option.

The morning after pill is highly effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. For example, ellaOne® is 98% effective if taken correctly within 5 days (120 hours) after intercourse.

Levonelle and Levonorgestrel are 95% effective when taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse, 85% effective when taken 24-48 hours after unprotected intercourse, and 58% effective if taken 48-72 hours after intercourse.

It is recommended to take the morning after pill as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, as delaying the intake can reduce the efficacy of the pill.

It is not recommended to take the morning after pill unless it is an emergency. If you are thinking of using emergency contraception multiple times in a short period, it is recommended to consider taking a daily contraceptive pill, such as the Hana Contraceptive Mini Pill.

The morning after pill significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy, but it is not 100% effective at preventing pregnancy. The effectiveness of the morning after pill depends on the active ingredient in the pill and how soon the pill is taken after unprotected intercourse.

If the morning after pill is taken within the recommended time frame (within 72 hours for Levonelle or up to 5 days for ellaOne®), the chances of pregnancy are greatly reduced.

However, if the pill is taken too late or if ovulation has already occurred, then the pill may not work.

It is also important to note that the morning after pill does not protect against future unprotected sex, so it will not prevent pregnancy if you have unprotected intercourse again after taking it.

There are no immediate signs that indicate whether the morning after pill has worked. The most reliable way to confirm its effectiveness is by taking a pregnancy test.

If your period is late or if you experience symptoms such as nausea or breast tenderness, it could indicate that the pill did not work, and you should take a pregnancy test around 3 weeks after the unprotected sex or after your missed period.

If in doubt, or if you have concerns, consult a pharmacist or doctor.