Morning After Pill
MORNING AFTER PILL
If you have had unprotected sex, or your usual method of contraception has failed (e.g split condom), you could be worried about becoming pregnant. One of the options you may consider is the morning after pill, which works by preventing or delaying ovulation.
The emergency hormonal contraceptives available at Welfare Pharmacy are for women who’ve had unprotected sex within the last five days. Simply visit your nearest Welfare pharmacy as soon as possible to have a confidential chat with one of our pharmacists. We will be able to advise you on your emergency contraceptive options, as well as offer any help or support you may need. Alternatively, you can also visit your local GP or a sexual health clinic.
Some of our pharmacy stores also deliver the FREE NHS scheme which means the morning after pill may be available free of charge to some groups of women. Before buying the pill, you may wish to check with your local Welfare Pharmacy if they are part of this scheme.
If you need the morning after pill immediately, online delivery isn’t the right option. It’s best to pop down to your nearest Welfare pharmacy as soon as possible.
If you would like the morning after pill in case you want it in the future, you can buy any of the morning after pills we offer online. Simply purchase online and a pharmacist will check that your chosen pill is suitable for you before sending it out for delivery. You need to be at least 16 years old to purchase the morning after pill online.
Just visit your local Welfare Pharmacy. One of our pharmacists will be able to have a friendly, reliable and confidential chat with you to ensure that the morning after pill is required, suitable and safe to be taken before we will supply the morning after pill to you. A supply will not be made if the pharmacist does not think it necessary, or safe to be taken, and will let you know where to get help if required. Otherwise, feel free to give us a call to discuss.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS THE MORNING AFTER PILL?
The morning after pill is not 100% effective, but there is a greater chance of preventing a pregnancy if it is taken within 12 hours of unprotected sex.
LEVONELLE ONE STEP/ LEVONORGESTREL
Clinical trial shows that emergency levonorgestrel tablet prevents:
- 95% of expected pregnancies when taken within 24 hours of sex
- 85% if taken within 25-48 hours
- 58% if taken within 49-72 hours
ELLAONE (ULIPRISTAL)
EllaOne, is very likely to be effective if used correctly. Although it is not effective in every case: of 100 women receiving EllaOne up to 5 days after unprotected sex, approximately 2 will become pregnant. So, as long as you use EllaOne correctly, it is very likely that it will be effective.
The morning after pill will not stop a pregnancy if you are already pregnant. The morning after pill does not offer any protection against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).
WHAT MORNING AFTER PILLS ARE AVAILABLE?
Well known as the morning after pill, it can actually be taken up to FIVE days after unprotected sex, depending on which type of pill you take. However, the sooner you take the morning after pill, the greater the chances of avoiding pregnancy. Visit your local Welfare Pharmacy at your soonest convenience.
The morning after pill is intended for emergency use after unprotected sex and should not be used on a regular basis or prior to unprotected sex. You may however, purchase the morning after pill in case you want to use it in the future.
ELLAONE (ULIPRISTAL ACETATE)
Up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex
COST
Click to check our online exclusive price
AVAILIBILITY/ACCESS
Available online and in store without a prescription*
LEVONELLE ONE STEP/GENERIC LEVONORGESTREL
Up to 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex
COST
Click to check our online exclusive price
AVAILIBILITY/ACCESS
Available online and in store without a prescription*
SIDE EFFECTS
Side effects from the morning after pill are uncommon, but some people may experience the following:
- Dizziness and feeling overly tired
- Feeling sick, vomiting, lower stomach pain or diarrhoea
- Headache
- Unexpected vaginal bleeding unrelated to your monthly cycle
- Tender breasts
If you experience any difficulty in breathing or swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat, seek medical attention immediately.
The morning after pill may affect your period cycle: you may start earlier or later than usual. If your next period is more than five days late, or is unusually light or heavy, or if there are any reason you might suspect you are pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test and consult your doctor as soon as possible.