Emergency contraception pill

THE MORNING-AFTER PILL (POST-COITAL EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL)

Overview

The "morning-after pill" is a progesterone-only method of emergency contraception.

It is designed to stop you from becoming pregnant after having unprotected sex.

The emergency pills contain levonorgestrel (progesterone). Studies show this progesterone-only method is more effective than the conventional "Yupze" method (combined oestrogen and progesterone pills).

The levonorgestrel pills can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.

In the UK, the emergency contraceptive pill is called Levonelle.

The emergency contraception should be started within 24 hours to be the most effective.

It is not legally regarded as an abortion-causing drug, but as a contraceptive.

What is it?

Levonorgestrel is a new choice in emergency contraception and family planning experts believe it will become the preferred method in the future.

Levonorgestrel can be used within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

The method differs from the conventional "Yupze" method because it is a progesterone only form of emergency contraception, whereas the Yupze method uses combined oestrogen and progesterone.

Levonorgestrel has a better side effect profile than the Yupze regime. The Yupze method is still the most widely used method of emergency contraception. However, about 20 percent of women experience nausea and vomiting after taking the pills.

Studies have shown that the levonorgestrel method is also significantly more effective than the traditional methods.

One study by a World Health Organisation (WHO) taskforce found a 1.1 percent failure rate with levonorgestrel and a failure rate of 3.2 percent with the Yupze pills. Women in the study reported less nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue, and were less likely to need a third dose due to vomiting than women who had taken Yupze. Bleeding patterns were similar between the two groups, with the majority of women getting their period within three days of the expected start date.

Because the levonorgestrel tablets do not contain oestrogen, women with a history of thrombosis or a current attack of migraine with aura can also use this method.

How is it taken?

Levonorgestrel is taken as two pills (0.75 mg each) in a single dose.

In New Zealand a whole packet of 21 tablets has to be swallowed as one dose, and another packet taken as a second dose 12 hours later. In the UK, single tablets of 0.75 mg are available.

Failure is less likely if the pills are started within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse. The WHO study found when the first pills were taken within 24 hours, the failure rate was just 0.4 percent, in contrast with two percent for the Yupze method.

Note: St John's Wort reduces the effectiveness of the post-coital pill.

Are there any side-effects?

Side-effects are uncommon, but some nausea may be experienced.

Other potential side-effects include headache, vaginal spotting of blood, or dizziness.

Who can not use the emergency contraceptive pill?

Women who are currently pregnant or suspect they are already pregnant cannot take levonorgestrel.

Those with liver disease, prophyria, or a known allergy to levonorgestrel should not use this method either.

Where can I get the "morning-after pill"?

You can get the post-coital pill ("morning-after pill") on prescription from your GP.

In the UK, you can also get it at some chemists over-the-counter (ie. without a prescription), usually after counselling from a pharmacist. A packet containing two tablets of the emergency contraceptive pill costs about Ј25.

Getting help

Your family doctor or Family Planning Clinic will be able to advise you on emergency contraception.