How to Use ellaOne

Using ellaOne and how it works?

ellaOne is an emergency contraceptive and is used in situations when regular contraception has failed or not been used. ellaOne has an active ingredient called ulipristal acetate. This is a synthetic version of the female sex hormone called progesterone. This ingredient helps to reduce your chances of falling pregnant after unprotected sex.

Progesterone in a women’s body, is produced naturally after ovulation. It causes the ovaries to stop producing eggs. When taken as an emergency contraception, it fools the body’s reproductive processes into thinking that ovulation has already occurred, and stops it from actually happening.

It is also reported to alter the lining of the womb. By altering it, eggs cannot embed themselves there, which means that they pass through the body without becoming fertilised.

How to use ellaOne

ellaOne is a newer emergency contraceptive and was only approved for sale to the public in 2009. It is a prescription only medication, and before using it, a doctor or pharmacist needs to establish if there is any possibility that you are already pregnant. The reason for this is that it will not be effective if you are already pregnant, and may actually cause an ectopic pregnancy, which is very dangerous.

Using ellaOne has an advantage over other emergency contraceptives, as it can be taken for up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Most other pills have to be taken within 48 - 72 hours. This longer window gives women more time to get the treatment and effectively protect themselves from unwanted pregnancies. It is more effective the sooner you take it, however, and it is still suggested that women should use it as soon as they can to ensure pregnancy does not occur.

Who shouldn’t take it

There are several circumstances where using this emergency contraceptive is not an option. These circumstances are;

• If more than 120 hours has passed since you have had unprotected sex, or your period is late. This means that you could already be pregnant, which could make ellaOne more harmful than beneficial.


• If you have a severely decreased liver function


• If you are under the age of 18


• If you have any allergies to the ingredients in this emergency contraception pill