EllaOne

EllaOne can be used if you have doubts regarding the contraceptive you are currently using, such as a forgotten contraceptive pill or a tear in the condom. ElllaOne should be taken as soon as possible to prevent the unwanted pregnancy. If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, the effectiveness of a day after pill is as high as 95%. The pill can be taken up to 120 hours, but the effectivity of the pill may decrease

You need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 3 days (Levonelle) or 5 days (ellaOne) of unprotected sex for it to be effective – the sooner you take it, the more effective it'll be.

The IUD can be fitted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated, for it to be effective.

The IUD is more effective than the contraceptive pill at preventing pregnancy – less than 1% of women who use the IUD get pregnant.

Taking the emergency contraceptive pills Levonelle or ellaOne can give you a headache or tummy pain and make you feel or be sick.

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.

If you use the IUD as emergency contraception, it can be left in and used as your regular contraceptive method.

If you use the IUD as a regular method of contraception, it can make your periods longer, heavier or more painful.

You may feel some discomfort when the IUD is put in, but painkillers can help.

There are no serious side effects of using emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception doesn't cause an abortion.

There are no serious or long-term side effects from taking the emergency contraceptive pill.

But it can cause:

headaches

tummy pain

changes to your next period – it can be earlier, later or more painful than usual

feeling or being sick – get medical attention if you're sick within 2 hours of taking Levonelle or 3 hours of taking ellaOne, as you'll need to take another dose or have an IUD fitted

See a GP or nurse if your symptoms don't go away after a few days or if:

you think you might be pregnant

your next period is more than 7 days late

your period is shorter or lighter than usual

you have sudden pain in your lower tummy – in rare cases, a fertilised egg may have implanted outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy)