Effectiveness of emergency contraceptives

Emergency contraception and its effectiveness has been well documented. If you take emergency contraceptive medication within a few days of having sex, the chances are high that it will prevent an unplanned pregnancy from occurring. The precise emergency contraceptive effectiveness will largely depend on the type of morning after pill that you take. A wide range of emergency contraceptive pills are available, but two of the most prominent are ellaOne and Levonelle.

Emergency contraception effectiveness: ellaOne

During clinical studies, ellaOne has proven itself to be highly effective at preventing pregnancy within five days of sex. In February 2010, respected medical journal The Lancet published research showing that ellaOne prevented more pregnancies than over the counter birth control medication. Out of every 100 women to take ellaOne within five days of having sex, it is estimated that only 2 will become pregnant. As with other morning after pills, ellaOne is most effective during the initial 24 hours.

Emergency contraception effectiveness: Levonelle

The emergency contraception pill Levonelle is effective for up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex. Levonelle is proven to be 95% effective during the first 24 hours after sex. Between 25 and 48 hours, Levonelle is 85% effective, but this drops to 58% between 49 and 72 hours after sex.

Increasing emergency contraception effectiveness

In terms of effectives, emergency contraception can be increased by using other contraceptive methods to back up the morning after pill. By using a condom as well as the emergency contraceptive pill, you will create an even lower chance of pregnancy occurring. Condoms can also protect you against sexually transmitted infections, something that emergency contraceptive pill cannot.

When emergency contraception pills are not effective

Emergency contraception pills are effective in the vast majority of cases, but this still leaves some where they are not. If emergency contraception does not work to prevent pregnancy, it is not believed that this will have a negative effect on that pregnancy. But there is a chance that the pregnancy may be ectopic, meaning the fertilised egg attaches itself outside the cavity of the uterus (womb). Most ectopic pregnancies happen in the Fallopian tubes. Because of this possibility, you should inform your doctor that you took an emergency contraceptive if you become pregnant after taking one.