Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or failed contraception methods such as a broken condom or missed daily pill. Your doctor will determine which method of emergency contraception will best suit your needs and offer support and information.
Emergency contraception is available at Bodyvie in the form of the pill or the copper coil IUD. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or if your normal contraception has failed.
You will be invited to have an in-depth consultation with your doctor to determine the most suitable emergency contraception for you.
If you would like to use hormonal emergency contraception, your doctor will prescribe Levonelle if it has been within 3 days of unprotected sex or EllaOne, if the unprotected sex was within 5 days. Take the medication you were prescribed as soon as possible for optimal effectiveness.
- Levonelle contains levonorgestrel which mimics the body’s naturally produced progesterone. This synthetic levonorgestrel interrupts the release of an egg during ovulation, delaying or stopping ovulation completely. To prevent pregnancy, Levonelle must be taken within 3 days of sex.
- EllaOne‘s active ingredient is ulipristal acetate which stops progesterone doing its thing and stops or delays the release of an egg to prevent it being fertilised by sperm. EllaOne must be taken within 5 days of sex to prevent pregnancy.
Both emergency contraceptive pills have side-effects which can be unpleasant but are not serious. You may experience headaches, stomach pain, changes to your next period which could make it earlier or later than usual and possibly more painful.
The morning-after pill may also cause nausea, if you are sick and vomiting within 2 hours of taking the pill, you will need to take another pill or have a copper coil IUD fitted.
The copper coil IUD is a non-hormonal emergency contraception method with the added benefit of providing contraceptive protection for a further 10 years. This T-shaped device is made of plastic and copper. Copper stops eggs implanting in the womb or being fertilised and also kills sperm.
The IUD is inserted into the womb by your doctor and must be inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex to effectively prevent pregnancy. The IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception.
Most women can use this form of contraception but may experience some side-effects including pain, heavier, longer or more painful periods.
Your doctor will make sure to understand your medical history to advise the best method of emergency birth control for you. You will learn what to expect before, during and after using the designated birth control for your comfort and peace of mind.
Your doctor will give you a prescription for the emergency contraception pill or insert the copper coil IUD at your appointment.
