10 questions to know everything

In terms of contraception, zero risk does not exist. A cracking condom, a forgotten pill … In case of forgetfulness or accident, the morning after pill is an emergency contraception which makes it possible to avoid pregnancy. How long can you take these morning-after pills? How do they work? We take stock in 10 questions to see more clearly.

In France, 1 in 3 women have already used the morning after pill according to a survey carried out by Newpharma in August 2018. Yet women are still very poorly informed about it today. So how does it work? When to take it? Is it effective? We take stock in 10 questions.

1. What is the morning after pill?

It is an emergency contraceptive that has a hormonal action. Based on progesterone, the hormone that prevents or delays the pill of the next day contains a progestin which therefore prevents ovulation or repels ovulation. But if the latter has already taken place, emergency contraception is no longer useful.

2. Which morning-after pill to choose?

There are currently two different morning after pills in France. The levornogestrel (Norlévo®) should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. The second pill is theulipristal (ELLAONE®), which can be taken up to five days after intercourse.

3. When to take it?

Emergency contraception must be taken as soon as possible after a risk report or an incident during sexual intercourse for optimal effectiveness. Contrary to what the name suggests, the "morning after pill" can be taken for more than 24 hours after unprotected intercourse. Depending on the type of pills, the time frame is different: up to three days for Norlévo® and five days for EllaOne®. However, it is best to take it as soon as possible as it is more effective.

4. Is it really effective?

Emergency contraception is never 100% effective, even if taken very quickly after unprotected intercourse. Norlévo® is 98% effective when taken within 12 hours of intercourse. For EllaOne®, this rate is 85% when it is taken within 3 days. For both, effectiveness decreases over time.

On the other hand, the morning-after pill is unfortunately ineffective if the fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus and implantation has started. It can only act before a pregnancy.

The sooner the morning after pill is taken after intercourse, the more effective it is.

5. Where can I get emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is available in pharmacies, in private or public hospitals, in planning centers but also in school and university infirmaries. Note that at night, on Sundays and on public holidays, on-call pharmacies provide it.

6. How much does the morning after pill cost?

The morning after pill is free for minors. If you are of full age, it can be dispensed without a prescription in pharmacies. Note that if you have a prescription, emergency contraception will be reimbursed at 65% by Health Insurance. In other cases it is chargeable. It will cost between 4 and 10 € for Norlevo® and around 19 € for EllaOne®, estimated more effective than the other.

7. How do I take the morning after pill?

The morning after pill is in the form of a tablet. It is therefore taken orally, with a glass of water.

8. Will I experience side effects?

It can happen, like any medicine. Some side effects can therefore occur such as headache or stomach ache, small bleeding, nausea, vomiting, pain in the breasts, dizziness, fatigue. It is estimated that this occurs in about a quarter of the cases …

To know : If you vomit within three hours of taking it, you must take an emergency pill again.

9. What to do after taking the morning after pill?

Start by monitoring the onset of your period: if the delay exceeds 5 days, take a pregnancy test and talk to your doctor. Similarly, if your period seems abnormal: consult.
If you use a "classic" pill, keep your pack and use local contraception (condom, spermicides …) until the end of your cycle.

10. What about my classic pill?

Whatever happens, taking the morning after pill should not change anything compared to taking the regular pill. It should not replace it or shift the usual hours or days of taking.

As a reminder, the single number Contraception, Sexuality, IVG of the Ministry of Health: 0800 08 11 11 (free and anonymous call).

Sources:
Emergency contraception on the Family Planning website

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Video by stupefy

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