EllaOne

Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the progesterone hormone. Levonelle primarily works by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation). However, it also increases the thickness of the mucus around the cervix. This can help by creating a barrier, that makes it difficult for sperm to pass through.     

The morning after pill, sometimes called Plan B, is a contraceptive pill that works on several different levels to prevent a pregnancy before it happens. Not many people understand the actual mechanics of this drug and how it works within their body. It’s a good idea to know what the drugs you take do to you, so you can be prepared for the side effects and so you can judge for yourself whether you really want to be taking them or not.  

Both Levonelle and ellaOne are considered to be 95% effective 12 hours after unprotected sex. After 48 hours, the effectiveness of Levonelle is reduced to 58%. However ellaOne, is up to 95% effective up to 120 hours after intercourse. So if it has been over 12 hours since the unprotected sex, ellaOne may be more effective. As neither of these methods is 100% effective, it is advised that you use contraceptives, such as condoms or the pill, to prevent pregnancy.  

The morning after pill is an emergency contraceptive. This means it is designed to be used on a one-off basis, when you have forgotten to use other forms of birth control or your contraceptives have not been effective i.e. torn condom. Due to the high levels of hormones, it’s not something you should be taking regularly; so, if you are planning to use it as your default contraceptive while engaging in regular intercourse, then you might want to rethink your strategy.  

The side effects of the morning after pill may vary depending upon which one you take. Levonelle and ellaOne contain different active ingredients, therefore their mechanism of action and side effects can be different.     Common side effects of Levonelle are headache, nausea and depression (sometimes severe). Some other side effects such as breast discomfort, changes in libido, dizziness, fatigue, changes in appetite, skin disorders and menstrual changes can also occur, although their frequency is not yet known.

Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the progesterone hormone. Levonelle primarily works by preventing the release of an egg (ovulation). However, it also increases the thickness of the mucus around the cervix. This can help by creating a barrier, that makes it difficult for sperm to pass through.

Whether you’re trying to get pregnant and you want to know what to expect, or if you’re worried you might be pregnant and want to know how to spot it, we’ve put together a timeline of the early signs of pregnancy, to help you. The timings given here are approximations only and may vary from person to person due to individual differences. If you think you may be pregnant, a pregnancy test is the most reliable method to be sure.

It is possible to take the morning after pill twice in one week, but it is not recommended for regular use. The morning after pill contains a very high dose of hormones. If taken occasionally, the hormones should not be in your body long enough to cause any harmful effects. However, if taken regularly, the high hormone levels, could cause negative effects on your body. The exact effects of long-term use of the morning after pill, have not yet been clarified, so if you need to take the morning after pill more than twice a month, it is recommended that you use a more suitable method of contraception.  

The effects of long-term use of the morning after pill have not yet been fully assessed, therefore it is not recommended for regular use as it could be dangerous to your health. If you take the morning after pill more than twice a month, you should consider using a more suitable form of contraception instead.  

For the most accurate results, It is advised that you take a pregnancy test one week after your first missed period, although taking a pregnancy test on the first day of your missed period can also be reliable.

A woman is most fertile around ovulation, when an egg is released from the ovaries. If the woman has a normal 28-day menstrual cycle, the ovulation would occur approximately 12-14 days before the start of her next period. A woman is most likely to get pregnant if she has sex 1-2 days either side of when she is expected to ovulate. However, sperm can survive in the body for up to 7 days, so it is possible to get pregnant if you have sex up to a week before ovulation.

No method of contraception is 100% effective. Sometimes contraceptive methods don’t work due to faulty manufacturing, individual biological differences or incorrect use. With this in mind, contraceptives often have two measures of effectiveness: perfect use and typical use. Perfect use, refers to the effectiveness of the contraceptive if it is always used correctly. Typical use indicates the effectiveness of the contraceptive, taking into account human error i.e. forgetting a pill, taking a pill at the wrong time, not using a condom correctly etc.