Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

There are three options after unprotected sex, and they are not equivalent. Time matters with all of them — sooner is genuinely better, not just reassuring. We supply emergency contraception free at Lyng Pharmacy under the Sandwell scheme.

The three options

Levonorgestrel (Levonelle) — effective up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. Works by delaying ovulation. A double dose is used if your BMI is over 26 or you weigh over 70kg.

Ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) — effective up to 120 hours (five days). More effective than levonorgestrel closer to ovulation, and not affected by weight in the same way.

The copper coil — fitted up to five days after unprotected sex, or up to five days after the earliest likely ovulation. By far the most effective option, at over 99%, and it then continues as ongoing contraception. Ask us or your GP about local fitting services.

Neither pill works if ovulation has already happened, which is why timing within the cycle matters as much as hours elapsed.

Important interactions

With levonorgestrel you can restart hormonal contraception immediately, using condoms for the appropriate number of days.

Enzyme-inducing medicines — some epilepsy and HIV treatments, rifampicin, St John’s wort — reduce the effectiveness of both pills. A copper coil or a double dose of levonorgestrel may be advised; ulipristal is not recommended.

Afterwards

If you vomit within three hours of levonorgestrel, or within three hours of ulipristal, you need another dose — come back and see us.

Take a pregnancy test if your next period is more than seven days late, lighter than usual, or unusual in any way.

Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, and this is a good moment to consider testing and ongoing contraception. We can help with both.

Frequently asked questions