Morning After Pill

What Is the Morning After Birth Control Pill?

The morning after pill is a form of emergency contraception designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

Two main types are available: the levonorgestrel-based pill, effective within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected intercourse, and the ulipristal acetate-based pill, which remains effective up to 120 hours (5 days).

• The Levonorgestrel pill is most effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex
• The ulipristal acetate-based pill is mostly and equally effective within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.

For our full range of contraceptive products including emergency contraceptives and the price for the morning after pill can be found online at our website.

You can check morning after pill price and buy emergency contraception safely, reliably and easily from Meds for Less and have them delivered to you within the next 24 hours.

The morning after pill is a type of emergency contraception that can help to prevent pregnancy if you have had unprotected sex or other contraceptive methods haven’t worked (i.e. when a condom splits).

Whether you need the morning after birth control pill or another form of emergency contraception, ordering online through Meds For Less ensures safety, privacy, and quick access to trusted medication.

The morning after pill does not cause an abortion/terminate the pregnancy, it simply helps to delay ovulation (the release of the egg from the ovary) or prevents fertilisation of the egg.

You can find our range of contraceptive medication and the morning after pill costs.

Different types of morning after pill

There are two types of the morning after pill:

• The Levonorgestrel pill contains a synthetic version of the progesterone (Levonorgestrel) and is available over the counter. This pill is most effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sexual intercourse.
• It works by delaying ovulation (release of the egg by the ovaries), slowing the transport of the sperm and egg (thereby reducing their chance of meeting) and altering the lining of the endometrium to make the uterus less receptive to any fertilised egg wishing to implant.
• The Ulipristal acetate pill contains the active ingredient Ulipristal acetate which also works by delaying ovulation and altering the endometrium lining to affect implantation of a fertilised egg. The Ulipristal acetate pill can also be bough over the counter and can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.
• The Ulipristal acetate pill can be more effective than the Levonorgestrel pill, especially closer to the time of ovulation and also if taken in a longer window after unprotected sex, (5 days instead of 3).

It is important to note that neither of these pills terminate the pregnancy, hence they are not effective if implantation has occurred.

How soon after unprotected sex should I take the morning after pill?

The effectiveness of the morning after pill depends significantly on how soon it is taken after unprotected sex.

Both versions of the morning after pill should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex, especially Levonorgestrel. The effectiveness of the medications decreases with time and there is a significant diminishing after the 72 hour window.

The Ulipristal acetate pill can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex with equal effectiveness during that time period, however it is still best to take this pill as soon as possible.

An important point to consider is taking the pill close to the timing of Ovulation can decrease its effectiveness. Hence taking the morning-after pill sooner during this time decreases the likelihood of pregnancy.

It’s important to note that The Ulipristal pill is more effective closer to the time of ovulation than its Levonorgestrel alternative, however the effectiveness of both pills is decreased closer to ovulation.

The morning after pill is best taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Please consult your healthcare advisor for more information on when to take the pill for maximal effect.

Remember, after the morning pill, it’s still important to follow safe practices and consult your pharmacist for advice on future contraception methods.

How to Take Emergency Contraception — the Morning After Pill Explained

Taking the morning after pill (emergency contraception) is straightforward, however there are different instructions, depending on the type of pill you are taking:

For the Levonorgestrel Pill:

• Take it as soon as possible, within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex.
• The pill typically comes in a single dose of 1.5mg which you can take all at once with or without food.
• Swallow the pill in one go without crushing or chewing it as those actions can decrease its effectiveness.

For the Ulipristal acetate:

• Take it as soon as possible, however it remains effective for 5 days after unprotected sex
• This pill comes in a single dose of 30mg which can be taken all at once with a full glass of water.
• Swallow the pill in one go without chewing or crushing it as those actions can decrease its effectiveness.

How Effective is it?

The effectiveness of emergency contraception pill varies depending on factor such as which pill is taken, how long after unprotected sex its taken and individual factors of the person taking it.

The Levonorgestrel pill is up to 89% effective if taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. It can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected but with decreasing effectiveness. The effectiveness of this pill reduces around the time of ovulation.

The Ulipristal pill can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex and is 85% effective throughout this entire period.

The ulipristal pill is generally considered more effective than the Levonorgestrel pill, especially in days 3-5 after unprotected sex. The effectiveness of both pills decreases post ovulation however the ulipristal pill remains more effective than the Levonorgestrel one.

Certain other medications and herbal remedies can influence the effectiveness of the morning after pill, please give your healthcare provider a comprehensive medical history so they may prescribe the most appropriate pill for you.

Individual factors can also influence the effectiveness of the pill, please consult a pharmacist or alternative healthcare provider about how well the pill might work for you.

Morning After Pill Side Effects

The after the morning pill, like all medications, has some side effects. However these are mild and do not last long as you are only taking one dose of the medication.

Common side effects include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Changes to the period such as being delayed, early or more painful

These symptoms should go away on their own but it’s advisable to take another pill if you vomit within 2-3 hours of taking the pill as it may have not been absorbed in your body. Please consult your healthcare advisor about the possibility of taking another dose of pill.

Please speak to a healthcare provider if the above symptoms last for longer than 7 days or:

• Your period is more than 7 days delayed
• Your period is a lot lighter than usual
• You believe you are pregnant
• You have rashes or other skin irritations.

For more information on the physiological cost of the morning after pill, please consult the patient information leaflet in the drug box or your healthcare provider.

What to Know Before and After the Morning Pill

Taking the right steps both before and after the morning pill increases effectiveness and helps you avoid stress or confusion.

Before:

• Check how long it’s been since unprotected sex (within 72h for Levonorgestrel, 120h for Ulipristal)
• Avoid taking it multiple times in the same cycle unless advised
• Inform the pharmacist about medications you’re on

After:

• Monitor your cycle—your next period might be slightly early or late
• Use barrier contraception (like condoms) for the rest of the cycle
• Take a pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late

If you’re unsure what to expect after the morning pill, reach out to a licensed provider for guidance.

Will the morning after pill work during ovulation?

The effectiveness of the Morning after birth control pill can be significantly reduced if it is taken at the time of ovulation or after ovulation, as the primary function of the pill is to delay ovulation.

The Levonorgestrel pill is most effective when taken before ovulation and its effectiveness reduces after or during ovulation. Taking the levonorgestrel pill on the day of ovulation is unlikely to prevent pregnancy.

The Ulipristal actetate pill is also most effective before ovulation and its effectiveness reduces during or after ovulation. However, around the time of ovulation, its slightly more effective than the Levonorgestrel pill.

Can you get pregnant after taking the morning after pill?

Though the morning after pill significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy, it is still possible to get pregnant after emergency contraception the morning after pill. This can happen due to the following reasons:

• If the pill is taken after or during ovulation, its effectiveness can be reduced as its primary mechanism is to delay ovulation.

• Depending on the type of morning after pill, delayed use or incorrect use can result in pregnancy. The Levonorgestrel pill is most effective within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex and before ovulation. The Ulipristal acetate pill is most effective within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex and before ovulation. Not taking the morning after pill within these recommended time windows can result in pregnancy.

• Drug interactions with other drugs like some anticonvulsants, antibiotics and herbal remedies can reduce the effectiveness of the pill and result in pregnancy regardless of taking it. It’s important to consult with the doctor/pharmacist prescribing you the pill about your medical history.

Is the morning after pill available over the counter?

Both the Ulipristal acetate and Levonorgestrel based morning after pills are available over the counter in the UK . To purchase this pill, you may not need a prescription, but you will require a pharmacist’s consultation.

You can buy the morning after pill online from Meds for Less safely and reliably following a simple consultation with our pharmacist to ensure your safety when using the pill.

Other types of emergency contraception

In addition to the morning after pill, there are other types of emergency contraception that can be effective at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex, For example:

The Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD):

The copper IUD is a small T shaped device made from plastic/copper that must be inserted into the uterus by a healthcare professional. This device works by copper being toxic to the sperm and creating a hostile environment in which the sperm cannot fertilise the egg. The copper IUD is 99% as an emergency contraception if used within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Advantages of the copper IUD include being the most effective form of emergency contraception and being able to provide up to 10 years of contraception (if desired).

Disadvantages of the copper IUD include needing to insert it into the uterus by a healthcare provider and the possibility of cramping or discomfort after insertion.

Order the morning after pill online

Both forms of the morning after pill are available Over The Counter in the UK and at Meds For Less. You can easily find the price of the morning after pill on our website.

Following a short, confidential consultation with our Pharmacist , you can buy the morning after pill, reliably and conveniently from Meds for Less and have it delivered to you within 24 hours.