ellaOne

• ellaOne is used by females as an emergency contraceptive option if unprotected sex has occurred
• It should be used as soon as possible after sex to work more effectively, with a maximum of 5 days (120hours)
• ellaOne does not protect against STIs
• ellaOne should not be used as regular contraception

• ellaOne is used as an emergency contraception within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure.
• Suitable for women of childbearing age
• Not suitable for anyone who is allergic to any of the ingredients contained in ellaOne

Consult your doctor/pharmacist if any of the following apply to you:
• if you suffer from severe asthma or any asthma related conditions
• if you suffer from liver conditions
• if you are experiencing problems with your periods.

• Take one tablet by mouth immediately after you have had unprotected sex, and no more than 5 days after this
• The sooner you take the tablet, the more effective it becomes in preventing pregnancy
• Can be taken at any time of the day, with or without food

• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Vomiting
• Painful periods
• Headache
• Breast tenderness
• If you vomit (feel sick, throw up) within 3 hours of taking the tablet, take another tablet as soon as possible.
• If you have unprotected sex after taking the tablet, it will not stop you from becoming pregnant.
• After you take the tablet and until your next period comes, you should use condoms every time you have sex.
• Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections
• If your next period is late after taking ellaOne
• After taking the tablet, it is normal for your next period to be a few days late. However, if your period is more than 7 days late; if it is unusually light or unusually heavy; or if you experience symptoms such as abdominal (stomach) pain, breast tenderness, vomiting or nausea, you may be pregnant. You should do a pregnancy test right away. If you are pregnant, it is important that you see your doctor.

Emergency contraception has several names and connotations, one of them being “morning after pill”. This is a single dose pill taken to prevent pregnancy provided it is taken within the recommended timeframe.
Emergency contraception such as Levonelle and ellaOne are contraceptives intended to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your contraceptive method has failed. For example:
• if you had sex without protection;
• if your or your partner’s condom tore, slipped or came off, or if you forgot to use one;
• if you did not take your contraceptive pill as recommended.

Emergency contraception is used to prevent the conception of a baby, after unprotected sex has occurred.

It’s good to highlight that the morning after pill is not used to abort a baby, but instead to prevent the woman from having an unwanted pregnancy. This is done by preventing the women from releasing an egg, which ultimately stops conception from occurring. Depending on the type of morning after pill used it could be up to 72 hours or 120 hours after having unprotected sex.

There are various facts about ellaOne that the NHS have listed online such as the fact that you need to take the emergency contraceptive pill within 5 days of unprotected sex for it to be effective, the sooner it’s taken the more effective it will be. If you’re sick within 3 hours of taking ellaOne then you will need to get another dose from your GP, pharmacist or GUM clinic. Another fact about ellaOne is that there are no serious side effects of using ‘the morning after pill’. Some people experience side effects, such as stomach pain or a heavier period but no life-threatening side effects. Some methods of contraception that will be protective for longer include the IUD, IUS, contraceptive implant and contraceptive injection. You will need to visit your GP, nurse or nearest sexual clinic to discuss the best options for you.

Find a sexual health clinic - https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Sexual-health-information-and-support/LocationSearch/734

More NHS info - https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/contraception/emergency-contraception/