How Does Emergency Contraception Work?

Emergency contraception has been around since the early 80s, but it was not until the mid 90s, after more than a decade of clinical trials, studies and research that it was approved for public use. There are two different kinds of emergency contraception, the morning-after pill and the IUD (Intrauterine device). The morning-after pill is more common as it’s easier to administer and is available over the counter after a short medical questionnaire, conducted by a pharmacist. It is now also available online, after a short consultation has been completed.

Emergency contraception like the Morning-After Pill is designed to stop pregnancy after unprotected sex. It does not work if you are already pregnant. It is only effective if taken within the determined time frame, and is most effective if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It only prevents pregnancy after you take it, and is not an ongoing form of birth control. It should only be used as an emergency measure, and not relied on regularly to prevent pregnancy.

How do emergency contraceptive pills work?

Emergency contraception pills are designed to be most effective if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Originally the only approved emergency contraception pill available contained 2 pills to be taken 12 hours apart from each other. The oestrogen-progestin combined pill was effective and is still available, although more research has gone into the progestin only emergency contraception pill. New developments have found that the progestin only pill is more effective.

With one pill per dose, the progestin only emergency contraceptive pill works to alter the hormones in the reproductive system of a woman. The pill does 3 things that can prevent pregnancy. It stops the ovaries from releasing an egg, it alters the lining of the womb to make it impossible for a fertilised egg to embed itself there, and it alters the cervical lining, so that sperm cannot reach the womb. Because it does these two things, it’s effective at any stage of a woman’s menstrual cycle, but only if taken within the prescribed time.

What is the hormone in emergency contraceptive pills?

There are two popular emergency contraception pills available on the market, Levonelle and a newer option, EllaOne.

Levonelle contains a hormone called levonorgestrel which is a synthetic form of progesterone. It has enough of the hormone to disrupt the natural processes and either stops ovulation that particular time, or prevents a fertilised egg from embedding itself into the lining of the womb. It is most effective if taken before ovulation occurs, but can prevent pregnancy if taken afterwards to. Levonelle has to be taken 72 hours after unprotected sex.

EllaOne is a newer emergency contraception pill and could fast gain popularity as it is proven to be effective if taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It contains ulipristal acetate which is an agent that acts on the progesterone receptor, which in turn interferes with the regular ovulation process to prevent pregnancy.