If you don’t want to get pregnant, it’s important to use contraception every time you have sex. Unprotected sex and having multiple sex partners increase the risk of unwanted pregnancy. If you’re married, you may also face this problem at times when your chosen contraception method fails to work. In such instances, you can always use emergency contraception to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
Emergency contraceptive pills
Around 1.2 million women in the UK, aged 15-49, have used emergency contraception at least once. The most popular emergency contraception pills available on the market are Levonelle and ellaOne; of which Levonelle is effective up to 3 days after having unprotected sex while ellaOne is effective up to 5 days. ellaOne is often the preferred choice among women as it is more effective than Levonelle.
The pills release progesterone, a female hormone that prevents pregnancy. It stops the egg from being fertilized and prevents it from implanting in the womb. By releasing this hormone, the pills are able to effectively prevent pregnancy.
Levonelle The morning after pill
Levonelle, also known as the ‘morning after pill’, is a highly effective way to prevent pregnancy. Taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, Levonelle can prevent up to 95% of pregnancies. The pill is safe for women over 18, but not for pregnant women or those with severe liver problems. The active ingredient in Levonelle, levonorgestrel, tricks your body into thinking that ovulation has already occurred, thereby preventing pregnancy.
ellaOne – The latest development
ellaOne is a highly effective emergency contraception pill that can be used to prevent unwanted pregnancy up to 5 days or 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. This pill is nearly 98% effective at preventing pregnancy in women. It works best when taken within the first three days. Women who are above the age of 18 years can take this pill. EllaOne is also safe for you if you are breastfeeding, but you should avoid it for 36 hours after taking the pill.
If you’re concerned about gaining weight, emergency contraception pills can help you manage your weight and avoid unwanted pregnancy. The pills have progesterone or a mix of progesterone and estrogen. They prevent ovulation or stop the egg from implanting in the uterus.
