The morning after pill service

The Morning After Pill, also known as 'Emergency Contraception' or 'Plan B, is a pill taken after sex to prevent pregnancy. You may need to use this when you have unprotected sex, have forgotten to take your usual contraception, or if your contraception fails (like when a condom splits).

Depending on the type of pill chosen, you can take the Morning After Pill up to 5 days after unprotected sex. However, the earlier it is taken, the better the chances of avoiding pregnancy. The two main types of Morning After Pill are ellaOne and Levonelle. Both are only effective when taken before ovulation happens.

The Morning After Pill should not be used as your usual method of contraception, as it is more risky and expensive when compared to other contraceptives, like the Contraceptive Pill.

The Morning After Pill works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation). This stops the egg from being fertilised or from implanting. ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which delays or stops ovulation (the release of an egg). It lasts for as long as 5 days, allowing all the sperm to die off and preventing pregnancy from taking place. ellaOne must be taken within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Levonelle contains a man-made version of the hormone progesterone called levonorgestrel, which also delays or stops ovulation from occurring. Levonelle should be taken within 3 days of unprotected sex.

How effective is the Morning After Pill?

Both ellaOne and Levonelle are only effective when taken before ovulation has taken place. Levonelle is not as effective at certain points in your cycle, while ellaOne remains effective a little longer into your period.

Levonelle is 95% effective when taken in the first 24 hours. This drops to 85% by the second day and 58% effective by the third day. ellaOne is 98% effective and can still be taken for up to 5 days after sex, but you should take it as soon as possible.

Levonelle can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex. ellaOne can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Both only work if taken before ovulation has taken place. Since it can be difficult to tell when ovulation has occurred, it is best to take the Morning After Pill as soon as possible for better chances of preventing pregnancy.

How many times can you take the Morning After Pill?

Both ellaOne and Levonelle are taken as a single tablet. There is no limit on the number of times that you can take the Morning After Pill, but if you have already used one type, you may not be able to use the other one. You should not take Levonelle if you have used ellaOne in the last 5 days. You should not take ellaOne if you have used Levonelle in the last 7 days. This is because of potential interactions between both medications.

If you find that you regularly need to use the Morning After Pill more than once in a cycle, you may want to consider another option, like an intrauterine device (IUD). This is the most effective form of emergency contraception and can be used as regular contraception going forward. Using regular contraception, such as the contraceptive pill, is more effective for protecting against pregnancy than taking the Morning After Pill.

What if I vomit after taking the Morning After Pill?

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the emergency contraceptive pill, you will need to take another dose as soon as possible. If you vomit again, it may mean that the Morning After Pill is unsuitable for you. You should visit your GP or a family planning clinic as soon as possible for another type of emergency contraception.

The Morning After Pill can be ordered online through Superdrug Online Doctor. You just need to complete our quick and easy online questionnaire, and our doctors will review your information and make sure the Morning After Pill you ordered is right for you. You can have your medication delivered to an address of your choice, or you can collect it from a Superdrug store or post office.

Can I get the Morning After Pill over the counter?

Yes, you can get the Morning After Pill over the counter at most pharmacies. You will need to go through a consultation with the pharmacist on your options, which will be similar to our online questionnaire. You must be 16 years or older to buy it.

Where to get the Morning After Pill for free

If you’re looking for the Morning After Pill for free, you can get it from:

• the NHS
• sexual health clinics
• genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics
• some GP surgeries
• some accident and emergency (A&E) departments

With most of the above options, you will need to either call ahead to confirm availability or book an appointment. Superdrug Online Doctor lets you easily and quickly buy the Morning After Pill from home. You do not need to physically see the doctor, and you can have the pill delivered within 24 hours, or collect it from a Superdrug pharmacy on the same day.

Can I get the emergency contraceptive pill in advance?

If you are worried about being able to get emergency contraception, you can order it in advance. This can happen if travelling or if you have concerns about your regular contraception failing. You do not need a prescription to order the Morning After Pill. You can consult with our online doctors for more information on your emergency and usual options of contraception.

The Morning After Pill does not cause any serious or long term side effects. It can however cause some mild and passing side effects, mostly dependent on which stage of your menstrual cycle they were taken. The side effects will usually pass without you needing any treatment.

ellaOne side effects can cause:

• nausea
• abdominal pain
• painful periods
• breast tenderness
• vomiting
• headache
• dizziness
• muscle pain
• back pain
• fatigue

Levonelle side effects can cause:

• headaches
• nausea
• vomiting
• lower abdominal pain
• irregular bleeding on your next period
• fatigue
• shortening or lengthening of your next period

When taken early on in your period, Levonelle may cause the cycle to get shorter. It might delay the start of your next period or have no effect if taken later on in the cycle. Most women will have their period on time.

The Morning After Pill may also cause unusual bleeding and you may have some spotting. This may continue until your next period. There is no cause for concern unless the bleeding is excessive or does not stop. If your period is more than 5 days late then you should consult a doctor.

An intrauterine device (IUD) can be used as alternative emergency contraception. It is 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy. An IUD is a small T-shaped copper and plastic device that is placed in the womb (uterus) by a specially trained nurse or doctor.

As the copper releases, it prevents the egg from becoming fertilised or becoming implanted even when it meets sperm. It can be used as a long term method of contraception and as emergency contraception within five days of unprotected sex. However, like the Morning After Pill, the quicker it is used, the better it is at preventing pregnancy.

An IUD can last as long as 5 to 10 years. It can have some side effects in the early months, including:

• mild to moderate pain during insertion
• spotting
• irregular bleeding
• heavier bleeding
• painful periods

When properly inserted, an IUD carries little risk of infection. There is also a small risk of your body moving or pushing out the device. Your doctor or nurse will advise you on how to check on its placement.

The effects of a copper IUD are easily undone when it is taken out by a specially trained nurse or doctor. Once removed, you can get pregnant straight away. While a safe form of contraception, IUDs do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). To protect against STIs you will need to use condoms.