"The sooner you take the morning after pill, the more effective it will be."
About the morning after pill
The morning after pill is a form of emergency contraception which can prevent pregnancy. It needs to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
There are two types of morning after pill available: ellaOne and Levonelle. These are both available through our online doctor service.
Deciding which pill will be most effective for you depends on many different factors. By the end of your online consultation, a clinician will suggest the most suitable choice for you.
When to take the morning after pill
The morning after pill should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
Levonelle must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex (3 days), and ellaOne within 120 hours (5 days). Both pills are most effective when taken as soon as possible after sex.
Both Levonelle and ellaOne can be taken more than once during your menstrual cycle.
If you need the morning after pill now, you can collect it from one of our pharmacies the same working day as you place your order. Next-day delivery is only available if you order the morning after pill for future use.
The morning after pill for future use
For peace of mind, you can buy the morning after pill for future use through our service.
Simply complete your consultation and one of our clinical team will advise which pill will most suit your needs.
How the morning after pill works
Both types of morning after pill work by preventing or delaying ovulation. Levonelle contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone, which affects your ability to ovulate, while ellaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which stops the progesterone in your body from working normally and delays egg release from the ovary.
Emergency contraception and STIs
Emergency contraception, does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If you have had sex without a condom and are worried that you might have an STI, our confidential online sexual health clinic provides advice, tests and treatments for a range of STIs.
Alternatively, you could visit your local sexual health clinic or arrange to see your GP.
Other forms of emergency contraception
The most effective form of emergency contraception is the copper coil, also known as an IUD. This can be fitted by a GP or family planning clinic up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If you are thinking of opting for a coil, we recommend that you still take the morning after pill, just in case you can’t get a coil fitted in time.
