There are two types of emergency hormonal oral contraception (morning after pill) available.
METHOD ONE:
- Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg is used to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.¹-²
- It prevents ovulation and fertilisation if intercourse has taken place in the preovulatory phase, when the likelihood of fertilisation is the highest.¹-²
- The tablet must be taken as soon as possible, preferably within 12 hours, and no longer than 72 hours after unprotected sex.
- Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg is more effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected sex.¹
METHOD TWO:
- ellaOne® is used to prevent pregnancy if taken within 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.3
- The tablet contains ulipristal acetate and works by inhibiting or delaying ovulation by suppressing the luteinizing hormone surge.³
- ellaOne is effective at preventing pregnancy for 5 days after unprotected sex however the tablet should be taken as soon as possible. 3
ALTERNATIVE METHOD:
- An alternative method of emergency contraception is the IUD Copper Coil which can be inserted by specially trained GPs or Family Planning Clinics.4
- It is a copper-bearing intrauterine device that is effective immediately after insertion and works primarily by inhibiting fertilisation.4
- This can be done up to five days after unprotected sex and can be left in the uterus for up to 10 years as a regular method of contraception.5
IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION:
- Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases or infections.1-3If you have had unprotected sex you should take the necessary precautions and get tested to ensure you have not contracted a sexually transmitted infection.
- Emergency contraception causes a disturbance to the menstrual cycle so it is not recommended to use it more than once within a menstrual cycle.¹-²
- Emergency contraception does not protect you from pregnancy the next time you have sex.1-3
- Women continuing to use a hormonal method of contraception are advised to take extra precautions for 7 days following use of Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg© and for the remainder of their menstrual cycle following use of ellaOne.¹-³ as ellaOne has the potential to reduce the effectiveness of oral contraception.3
- Breastfeeding women are advised to avoid breastfeeding for 8 hours following intake of Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg and for women who have taken ellaOne, breastfeeding is not recommended for one week.3
- ellaOne is not intended for use during pregnancy.
Talk to your local pharmacist, GP or Family Planning Clinic today for further advice and information on emergency contraception.
References:
- https://www.hpra.ie/
- Norlevo SPC
- ellaOne SPC
- Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare Clinical Guidance Emergency Contraception Clinical Effectiveness Unit August 2011 (Updated January 2012)
- http://www.thinkcontraception.ie/Emergency-Contraception/Your-Choices.231.1.aspx Last accessed 17/12/19
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The information on this website is intended for patients who have been prescribed a Consilient Health oral contraceptive medicine who reside in the Republic of Ireland only.
IE-OCS-404, Date of Preparation: December 2019
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