The morning after pill- the facts & a new 5 day option
How does the morning after pill work?
- Unprotected sex, a missed pill, a burst condom-there are many reasons a woman may find herself suddenly worrying about an unplanned pregnancy.
- Despite its name, the morning after pill is not just for the morning after- it can be taken at any time of day, for a few days after unprotected sex has happened. The time frame depends on the type of pill, though it’s best to take it as soon as possible .
- The morning after pill contains a form of progesterone, and works by stopping release of an egg from the ovary OR by making it less likely that sperm will fertilise an egg.
- It does not cause an abortion if a pregnancy has already begun.
What are the types of morning after pill?
There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill available in Australia, which are progesterone based.
- There is a single dose option within 72 hours of sex, and is available from a pharmacy without a prescription.
- A newer option is also available, which can be used up to 5 days after the incident of unprotected sex, but this requires a prescription from a doctor and is usually a little more expensive. It is not recommended if breastfeeding.
How effective is the morning after pill?
- If the over-the-counter (72 hour option) is taken within 3 days of unprotected sex, it will prevent 80-90% of expected pregnancies- but the earlier it’s taken, the better.
- If the prescription-only version is taken within 5 days of unprotected sex it will prevent around 98% of expected pregnancies and it seems not to lose its effectiveness through those 5 days- however, it’s still encouraged to take it as soon as possible.
What else should I know about the morning after pill?
- If you have unprotected sex soon AFTER taking the emergency contraception, you can still get pregnant.
- If you are on any other regular medications it’s important to tell the pharmacist, as some may interfere with the effectiveness of the morning after pill.
- If you happen to vomit within 2 hours of taking the dose, another will be needed. If you vomit more than 2 hours later, there is no need to do anything
- Emergency contraception is less effective than regular contraception- so if you find yourself needing the morning after pill, it’s probably a good time to speak to a healthcare professional about getting some ongoing contraception.
- The morning after pill gives no protection against sexually transmitted infections- using condoms (even if you’re also on the pill or some other form of contraception) is your best defence against STIs.
What if I’m under 18?
It doesn’t matter- you are still entitled to go to your pharmacist and request it. They may ask you some health-related questions (in person, or on a questionnaire), but they are NOT entitled to ask about your religion, who you had sex with or whether your parents know about it.
Are there any side effects of the morning after pill?
- Side effects are uncommon- these include breast tenderness, nausea or headaches.
- It may also cause your menstrual cycle to be out of its normal pattern in the following month or so.
- If your next period is late or lighter than usual, you should do a pregnancy test, as the morning after pill does not work 100% of the time.
- Ectopic pregnancy is rare, but is a very serious condition that happens when a pregnancy forms outside the uterus- it most often presents with lower abdominal pain, which may be quite sharp in nature. Therefore, if you get lower abdominal pain after using the morning after pill, you should see a doctor immediately.
Where can I get emergency contraception?
Most women will get it from their local chemist, family planning clinic or GP
Is there any alternative to the morning after pill?
- Whilst it is a less straight-forward option, the copper coil (a small copper device that’s inserted into the uterus), is a highly effective form of emergency contraception.
- It must be inserted by a doctor or nurse.
- It can be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex, will prevent around 99% of pregnancies, and can be left in as long-term contraception for 5-10 years (depending on the type you get).
If you wish to know more about emergency contraception, speak to your doctor, pharmacist
