What is the morning after pill?

The morning after pill is a form of emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception lowers your chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex.

While it's called the morning after pill, you can take some pills up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Other types need to be taken sooner. It's best to take it within 24 hours of having unprotected sex.

When can I use the morning after pill?

You might use the morning after pill if:

• you had unprotected sex
• the condom broke during sex
• you missed one or more of your usual contraceptive pills
• you take a contraceptive pill and have vomiting or diarrhoea (which can stop your normal contraceptive pill from working)
• you were sexually assaulted

You can get emergency contraception from a pharmacy, without a prescription.

How does the morning after pill work?

The morning after pill stops or delays ovulation to stop pregnancy. Ovulation is when your ovary releases an egg.

The morning after pill is for emergency contraception only.

It's not an abortion pill. If the sperm has already fertilised the egg, and the pregnancy has started, the pill won't work.

The morning after pill:

• does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• does not have any long-term effects
• should not be used regularly

What are the different types of morning after pill?

There are 2 types of emergency contraception pill on sale in Australia. They are both available from pharmacies without a prescription.

There are some differences between the pills which might make one more suitable for you.

Levonorgestrel pills

Morning after pills that contain levonorgestrel are also known as LNG pills. You can use the LNG pill up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex. They are usually a single tablet. Your doctor or pharmacist may tell you to take 2 tablets.

LNG pills have different brand names. In the United States, one brand is called Plan B. While Plan B is not available in Australia, some people in Australia may still refer to LNG pills as Plan B.

Ulipristal acetate pills

Morning after pills that contain ulipristal acetate are also known as UPA pills. You can use UPA pills up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. The UPA pill is more effective than the LNG pill.

How do I know what emergency contraception is right for me?

Your doctor or pharmacist can help work out the best morning after pill for you. This may depend on:

• how long ago you had unprotected sex
• your body weight
• any other medicines you are taking
• your medical history and other conditions
• if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the morning after pill
• if you have unexplained vaginal bleeding
• if you are breastfeeding

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have a medical condition such as:

• high blood pressure
• heart disease
• diabetes
• liver disease
• breast cancer
• bad asthma

Emergency contraceptive pills will not harm a pregnancy if you are already pregnant.

If you regularly take a hormonal contraceptive pill, you can continue it straight after taking an LNG pill.

If you take a UPA pill, you should wait 5 days.

What are the side effects or risks of the morning after pill?

You may have some mild, short-term side effects, including:

• nausea (feeling sick)
• sore breasts
• headache
• abdominal (tummy) pain
• dizziness
• vaginal bleeding

If you vomit within 2 to 3 hours of taking the morning after pill, you should take another pill.

Taking the morning after pill often causes spotting (bleeding between periods).

It may also change the timing of your periods. Your next period might be early, on time or slightly late.

How effective is the morning after pill?

Emergency contraception prevents about 8 out of 10 expected pregnancies.

The morning after pill works best if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex.

How do I take the morning after pill?

The morning after pills are usually a single dose that should be taken as soon as possible. Some people may need to take 2 tablets of LNG pill depending on body weight and other medical conditions.

The LNG pill should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) after you have unprotected sex. It might still have some effect up to 96 hours (4 days). It can be used more than once in a cycle.

The UPA pill should be taken within 120 hours (5 days) after you have unprotected sex.

If you vomit within 2 to 3 hours of taking either morning after pill, you will need to repeat the dose.

You shouldn't take the LNP pill in same cycle of taking the UPA pill.

Let your pharmacist of doctor know if you're taking other medication since some medications can reduce how well the morning after pills work.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see a health professional after taking the morning after pill.

They can help:

• guide you about long-term contraception
• test for pregnancy to check that the morning after pill was effective
• screen for STIs

You should follow up with your doctor if:

• your next period is 7 days late or lighter than usual
• you have taken the morning after pill more than once in your menstrual cycle

Are there any alternatives to this medicine?

The copper intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) is another form of emergency contraception. Copper IUDs stop fertilisation and implantation.

They are the most effective type of emergency contraception. A trained health professional must insert a copper IUD. For emergency contraception, you should get an IUD put in within 5 days of unprotected sex.

Resources and support

• Learn more about the morning after pill, visit the MSI Australia website.
• Family Planning Australia has a guide for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people on contraception including the emergency contraceptive pill.
• Health Translations has information on the emergency contraceptive pill in English and other languages.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.