NHS Services

Morning After Pill

What is the morning after pill?

The morning after pill is a pill that you can have to prevent pregnancy after having sex if contraception has not been used or it has failed.

Did you know?

At our pharmacy, you can also get the morning-after pill for free through the NHS emergency contraception service.

How does the morning after pill work?

The Morning-After Pill

The morning-after pill is a type of emergency contraception you can take after unprotected sex to help prevent pregnancy. It mainly works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from your ovaries. Depending on the type, it can also work in other ways.

Ulipristal Acetate (ellaOne)
This pill blocks the hormone progesterone, which your body needs to release an egg. By doing this, it delays or stops ovulation.

Levonorgestrel (Levonelle and LoviOne)
These pills not only delay ovulation but also make the mucus in your cervix thicker. This makes it harder for sperm to reach an egg if one has already been released.

How to Take the Morning-After Pill

  • Swallow the pill whole with a glass of water as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

  • ellaOne can be taken up to 5 days after sex.

  • Levonorgestrel pills (Levonelle or LoviOne) can be taken up to 72 hours / 3 days after sex.

  • Both types only work before ovulation, so the sooner you take them, the more effective they are.

What if I Vomit?

  • If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill, take another tablet immediately, because the first one may not have been absorbed.

How Often Can I Take It?

  • There’s no strict limit, but the morning-after pill should not replace regular contraception.

  • You can take it more than once in the same menstrual cycle. If you take it twice in a week, try to use the same type each time.

  • Taking it multiple times may affect your period or cycle.

Can I Take It With My Regular Contraceptive Pill?

  • Yes, continue taking your usual hormonal contraceptive as normal.

  • If you use ellaOne, your regular pill may be less effective until your next period, so use a condom until your next bleed.

Should I Take a Pregnancy Test?

  • Take a test 3 weeks after using the morning-after pill if you haven’t had your period.

  • Your period may come a little earlier or later than usual after taking emergency contraception.

Side Effects of the Morning-After Pill

Side effects can vary slightly depending on the type of pill you take.

Common side effects of ellaOne:

  • Feeling sick (nausea)

  • Vomiting

  • Stomach or pelvic pain

  • Painful periods

  • Breast tenderness

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Mood changes

  • Muscle or back pain

  • Tiredness

Common side effects of levonorgestrel pills (Levonelle, LoviOne):

  • Feeling sick (nausea) or vomiting

  • Lower tummy pain

  • Irregular bleeding until your next period

  • Period coming earlier or later than usual

  • Tender breasts

  • Headache

  • Dizziness

  • Tiredness

  • Diarrhea

Managing Side Effects

Most side effects are mild and only last a short time. You can ease them at home by:

  • Resting and taking it easy

  • Drinking plenty of water or clear fluids to stay hydrated and help with headaches

  • Using heat therapy, like a hot water bottle or heat pad, for tummy pain or cramps

  • Taking over-the-counter painkillers if needed

Important: If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the pill, take another one as soon as possible, because the first pill may not have been absorbed.

Yes, you can buy the morning after pill over the counter at many UK pharmacies without a prescription. It is also available to buy online from reputable online services like Superdrug Online Doctor where you can collect it from your local Superdrug Pharmacy in as little as 2 hours.

If you choose to buy the morning after pill over the counter, you will need to speak to a pharmacist, so they can assess if it is safe and suitable for you to take.

The consultation won’t take long and you will be taken to a private consultation room, so no one else can hear your conversation. If the pharmacist thinks the morning after pill is right for you, you will be able to purchase it straight away.

Intrauterine Device (IUD) as Emergency Contraception

An intrauterine device (IUD) can be used as an alternative form of emergency contraception. It is 99.9% effective at preventing pregnancy.

An IUD is a small, T-shaped device made of copper and plastic that is placed in the womb (uterus) by a specially trained nurse or doctor. The copper prevents an egg from being fertilised or implanted, even if sperm are present.

  • IUDs can be used as long-term contraception and as emergency contraception within five days of unprotected sex.

  • Like the morning-after pill, the sooner it is used, the more effective it is.

  • Once inserted, an IUD can last 5 to 10 years.

Possible side effects in the first few months:

  • Mild to moderate pain during insertion

  • Spotting or irregular bleeding

  • Heavier periods

  • Painful periods

Safety and risks:

  • When properly inserted, an IUD carries little risk of infection.

  • There is a small chance the device can move or be pushed out. Your nurse or doctor will show you how to check its placement.

Reversibility:

  • Copper IUDs are completely reversible. Once removed by a trained professional, you can get pregnant immediately.

Important:

  • IUDs do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Use condoms to protect against STIs.

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