Morning-after Pill Side Effects

In the past, the morning-after or emergency contraception pill caused a number of side effects, particularly bad sickness and nausea. However, since the 1990s, the number and impact of morning-after pill side effects has decreased significantly due to the introduction of new emergency contraceptive pills.

Currently, there are 2 morning after pills available; there is Levonelle, which can be bought over the counter by anyone over 16, and EllaOne, which is currently available on prescription only for women over 18. Both morning-after pills have been studied for potential side effects, although Levonelle has been available for longer than ellaOne and has been subjected to more clinical trials and testing.

Levonelle side effects

The side effects of this morning-after pill are not severe and can usually be contained with over the counter painkillers or an anti-inflammatory. The most common side effect associated with the morning-after pill is mild nausea or sickness. Other Levonelle side effects may include a change in the menstrual cycle, causing it to be earlier or later than usual. In some cases your period can be up to 5 days late. In a small number of cases, irregular bleeding may occur and in very rare cases, ectopic pregnancy could happen.

ellaOne side effects

ellaOne is a newer emergency contraceptive pill, and the long term effects are not well known, although it is considered to safe to use. The morning-after pill side effects associated with ellaOne are fairly similar to those of Levonelle. The most common side effect reported after taking ellaOne are abdominal/tummy cramps, similar to period cramps. Other side less common side effects include irregular bleeding or spotting, headaches, prolonged bleeding, dizziness, body cramps and mood swings.

Morning-after pill precautions

Both emergency contraception pills introduce larger than normal doses of hormones to the body, so mood swings can be caused by both, as can breast tenderness. But morning-after pill side effects have never been reported to be serious, unlike the earlier versions of the pill, morning-after pill side effects today are in the majority cases, very mild.

An important thing to be aware is that if the morning-after pill makes you vomit, within 3 hours of you taking it, it will not be effective as it won’t have had time to absorb into your body. If this happens, contact the doctor to see whether you can take another emergency contraceptive pill.