Thu, Sep 9, 2021 7:03 AM
If you are worried about getting pregnant after unprotected sex or if your usual contraception has failed and looking for Emergency contraceptive pill commonly called morning after pill, Glasshouse Chemist in Nottingham will be able to help. One of the pharmacists will be able to carry out a quick assessment to establish which treatment is suitable for you.
In this article, we will look at what morning after pill is, its types, how it works, its effectiveness, any side effects, when and how often to take it, other forms of emergency contraception and availability in Nottingham.
It is a tablet and a form of emergency contraception which is taken to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It comes as a single tablet and can be taken with water.
There are two types of morning after pill available in the UK.
This tablet can be taken within 5 days (120 hours ) of unprotected sex. However, it is recommended to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex or failure of existing contraception.
This tablet can be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of unprotected sex. Again, the sooner you take it, the more effective it is. It also comes as a single tablet.
Both the morning after pills work by preventing or delaying ovulation. The pills contain hormones which make it harder for the sperm to reach an egg and a fertilised egg to implant.
This short video by Brook.org.uk illustrates how emergency contraceptions work.
Which one should I take?
Your health professional will be able to tell you which one to take after carrying out a quick assessment.
There are no serious or long-term side effects from taking the emergency contraceptive pill, but like any other medicine, It can still cause some side effects:
ellaOne side effects include headache, nausea, bleeding, dizziness and abdominal pain.
Levonelle side effects include vomiting, nausea, tender breasts, headache and irregular bleeding.
You should take the morning after pill as soon as possible right after unprotected sex or if you believe your regular contraception might have failed.
ellaOne can be taken up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex where as Levonelle must be taken within 3 days (72 hours).
Although both ellaOne and Levonelle can be taken more than once during your menstrual cycle ,their use is mainly intended for emergency and should not be used as a regular contraception.
The most important thing with morning after pill is to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Hence having the pill to hand when you need it could be helpful especially if you are going on holiday or you are worried your regular contraception might fail and would not have access to emergency contraception. However, it should not be used as a routine contraception.
There are two types of emergency contraception.
The morning after pill
and the copper coil (IUD)
The morning after pill (both levonelle and ellaOne) temporarily prevent your body from becoming pregnant, but shouldn’t affect fertility in the future.
The Copper Coil or Intra-Uterine Device (IUD) can be fitted by a trained medical professional up to 5 days after unprotected sex. You can find out more about IUD from NHS website
One of the most convenient and discreet ways to get your morning after pill in Nottingham is from Glasshouse Chemist. You don’t need any appointment or GP prescription to get your morning after pill.
Other places you can get emergency contraception from include:
