The only way to know if emergency contraception has worked is when you get your next period. Unfortunately, this does mean it’s a bit of a waiting game to know whether you’re pregnant or not. Show
If you’ve taken the morning after pill at the right time, within 24 hours of unprotected sex, there’s a 95 to 99% chance that the emergency contraception has worked. The later you take the morning after pill, the less effective it becomes at preventing pregnancy. Levonelle (levonorgestrel) can work up to 72 hours and EllaOne up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. The morning after pill will only work if you take it before ovulation. You can tell you might be ovulating if you work out what is roughly 10 to 16 days before your period. You may also notice the signs of ovulation, such as changes in your cervical mucus or a small increase in your overall body temperature. However, it is difficult to track when you might ovulate. Another form of emergency contraception is the copper IUD (intrauterine device). This is a small device that is fitted inside your uterus. The copper IUD can be left in your uterus to be used as regular contraception. For emergency contraception, the copper IUD needs to be fitted within 5 days of having unprotected sex. If you’ve taken any emergency contraception after ovulation, it will not work. Look out for the signs of pregnancy, including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and breast tenderness. You may bleed a little in the early stages of your pregnancy, which might be confusing if you’re waiting for your period. If this happens, do a pregnancy test or speak to your doctor. Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if the contraception you have used has failed – for example, a condom has split or you have missed a pill. There are 2 types of emergency contraception: Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic (man-made) version of the natural hormone progesterone produced by the ovaries. Taking it's thought to stop or delay the release of an egg
(ovulation). Levonelle has to be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of sex to prevent pregnancy. It doesn't interfere with your regular method of contraception. ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which stops progesterone working normally. This also works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg. ellaOne has to be taken within 120 hours (5 days) of sex to prevent pregnancy. If you take Levonelle or ellaOneLevonelle and ellaOne don't continue to protect you against pregnancy – if you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency pill, you can become pregnant. They aren't intended to be used as a regular form of contraception. But you can use emergency contraception more than once in a menstrual cycle if you need to. Who can use the emergency pill?Most women can use the emergency contraceptive pill. This includes women who can't use hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill and contraceptive patch. Girls under 16 years old can also use it. But you may not be able to take the emergency contraceptive pill if you're allergic to anything in it, have severe asthma or take any medicines that may interact with it, such as:
ellaOne can't be used if you're already taking one of these medicines, as it may not work. Levonelle may still be used, but the dose may need to be increased. Tell a GP, nurse or pharmacist what medicines you're taking, and they can advise you if they're safe to take with the emergency contraceptive pill. You can also read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for more information. BreastfeedingLevonelle is safe to take while breastfeeding. Although small amounts of the hormones in the pill may pass into your breast milk, it's not thought to be harmful to your baby. The safety of ellaOne during breastfeeding isn't yet known. The manufacturer recommends that you don't breastfeed for one week after taking this pill. If you're already using regular contraceptionYou may need to take the emergency pill if you:
If you have taken Levonelle, you should:
Use additional contraception, such as condoms, for:
If you have taken ellaOne:
Use additional contraception, such as condoms, until you restart your contraception and for an additional:
A GP or nurse can advise further on when you can start taking regular contraception and how long you should use additional contraception. Side effects of using the emergency pillThere are no serious or long-term side effects from taking the emergency contraceptive pill. But it can cause:
See a GP or nurse if your symptoms don't go away after a few days or if:
Can I get the emergency contraceptive pill in advance?You can get the emergency contraceptive pill in advance of having unprotected sex if:
See a GP or nurse for further advice on getting advance emergency contraception. You can also talk to them about your options for regular methods of contraception. How the IUD works as emergency contraceptionThe intrauterine device (IUD) is a small, T-shaped plastic and copper device that's put into your womb (uterus) by a doctor or nurse. It releases copper to stop the egg implanting in your womb or being fertilised. The IUD can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated (released an egg), to prevent pregnancy. You can also choose to have the IUD left in as an ongoing method of contraception. How effective is the IUD at preventing pregnancy?The emergency IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception – less than 1% of women who use the IUD get pregnant. It's more effective than the emergency pill at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex. Who can use the IUD?Most women can use an IUD, including those who are HIV positive. A GP or nurse will ask about your medical history to check if an IUD is suitable for you. The IUD might not be suitable if you have:
The emergency IUD won't react with any other medicines you're taking. Pregnancy and breastfeedingThe IUD shouldn't be inserted if there's a risk that you may already be pregnant. It's safe to use when you're breastfeeding and it won't affect your milk supply. Side effects of the IUDComplications after having an IUD fitted are rare, but can include:
Where can I get emergency contraception?Getting it for freeYou can get emergency contraception for free, even if you're under 16, from these places, but they may not all fit the IUD:
Find your nearest sexual health clinic Find your nearest pharmacy Buying itIf you're aged 16 or over, you can buy the emergency contraceptive pill from most pharmacies, in person or online, and from some organisations, such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS). The cost varies, but it will be around £25 to £35. Contraception for the futureIf you're not using a regular method of contraception, you might consider doing so to protect yourself from an unintended pregnancy. There are several methods of contraception that protect you for a long period, so you don't have to think about them once they're in place, or remember to use or take them every day or every time you have sex. These methods include the:
See a GP, nurse or visit your nearest sexual health clinic to discuss the options available. If you're under 16 years oldContraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16. If you're under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won't tell your parents (or carer) as long as they believe you fully understand the information you're given, and the decisions you're making. Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under 16. They'll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they won't make you. The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you're at risk of harm, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first. Page last reviewed: 22 February 2018 How long after taking the morning after pill will I get a period?After taking the emergency contraceptive pill, like Levonelle or ellaOne, your period is likely to come on time or a few days early or late. Sometimes it can be a week late and sometimes even later. If your period is over a week late, we would recommend taking a pregnancy test.
Does the morning after pill affect your period flow?Some irregular bleeding — also known as spotting — can happen after you take the morning-after pill. Getting your period after taking emergency contraception (EC) is a sign that you're not pregnant. It's also normal for your period to be heavier or lighter, or earlier or later than usual after taking EC.
Can the morning after pill mess up your cycle for months?The morning-after pill affects each woman and her body differently, but should not cause any long-term side effects or ongoing changes in your menstrual cycle.
What will my period be like after taking morning after pill?Duration: Your period may last longer than usual after taking emergency contraception. Flow: Some women experience a lighter or heavier flow during their first period after the morning after pill. Heavier flow is more common than lighter.
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Does taking morning after pill affect your period
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