How effective is the ellaOne® morning after pill?
If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering how effective the morning after pill ellaOne ® is. EllaOne is an emergency contraceptive (commonly known as the morning after pill) used to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It contains 30mg of ulipristal acetate, which works by delaying or preventing ovulation.
How ellaOne® Works to Prevent Pregnancy
During your menstrual cycle, an egg is released about once a month and is viable for 12-24 hours once it has reached the uterus – this is called ovulation and is the time of the month where pregnancy can occur. The morning after pill works by delaying ovulation, delaying the release of the egg so it won’t be fertilised by sperm. EllaOne contains ulipristal acetate, which delays or inhibits ovulation. By preventing or postponing ovulation, it reduces the chance of fertilisation. If you have already ovulated, the morning after pill won’t be effective.
Your ovulation day can change from month to month depending on various factors like stress, diet and sleep patterns. However, ellaOne ® has also been found to be effective at delaying ovulation right before ovulation was due to occur. For 59% of participants in clinical trials, ovulation was postponed for at least 5 days but did occur later in the same cycle.
Clinical Effectiveness and Comparison
No contraceptive is 100% effective, but taking emergency contraception can greatly reduce your risk of unplanned pregnancy. Clinical studies have found that ulipristal acetate is 2.5x more effective than levonorgestrel when taken within 24 hours. EllaOne is the most effective morning after pill, designed to reduce the chance of pregnancy by up to 98% when taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex.
Effectiveness Statistics per 1,000 Women
- If no emergency contraception is taken: An estimated 55 out of 1,000 will get pregnant.
- If levonorgestrel is taken: 23 in 1,000 will get pregnant.
- When ellaOne ® is taken: Just 9 in 1,000 will get pregnant.
The 2010 Efficacy Study Findings
In 2010, a randomised, single-blind study of 2221 women was conducted to determine the efficacy and safety of ulipristal acetate and levonorgestrel. Follow-ups of the participants after the study found that out of the 1696 ‘efficacy-evaluable population’ who had taken treatment within three days (72 hours), there were 22 pregnancies in the group who had taken levonorgestrel and 15 pregnancies in the group who had taken ulipristal acetate. An additional 203 women took an emergency contraceptive pill between three and five days after unprotected sex; there were 3 pregnancies in this group, all of whom were in the levonorgestrel group.
Usage Instructions and Suitability
EllaOne is suitable for women of reproductive age who have had unprotected sex or experienced contraceptive failure, such as a missed pill or condom breakage. However, EllaOne will not be suitable for you if you are already pregnant, have severe asthma treated with oral glucocorticoids, or have specific hereditary problems like galactose intolerance.
How to take EllaOne
- Take one tablet as soon as possible after unprotected sex (ideally within 24 hours, but no later than 120 hours or 5 days).
- EllaOne can be taken with or without food.
- If you vomit within 3 hours of taking EllaOne, contact a healthcare professional as you may need to take another dose.
Potential Side Effects
Like all medicines, EllaOne can cause side effects, although not everyone experiences them. These side effects are usually mild and resolve on their own. Common side effects include:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Breast tenderness
EllaOne is intended for occasional use as an emergency contraceptive and does not affect long-term fertility. It does not provide ongoing contraception, so you should consider starting or continuing a regular contraceptive method. Your next period may come earlier or later than usual. If your period is more than 7 days late or is unusually light or heavy, take a pregnancy test.