Which Emergency Contraceptive Pill Is Right For Me?

Looking for emergency contraception? Get your glasses on and prepare to embrace a lot of medical sounding pill names and hormones, as we deep dive into all the different types of morning after pill offered via our HANX Fix:Pill service. 

A key word here is emergency. The sooner you receive emergency contraception, the more likely it is to work. You can choose from 4 different pills, but three of them are very similar and include the exact same hormone (Levonorgestrel, Ezinelle and Levonelle one step all contain Levonorgestrel 1.5mg)

Important: in order to receive the emergency contraceptive pill as an Express (next day) delivery, we recommend choosing Ella One. For all other emergency contraceptive pill varieties, orders must placed before 1pm, Mon-Thurs to be fulfilled in time. 


Reasons why you might need to take the emergency contraceptive pill

• Unprotected sex without taking any regular contraceptive
• Split condom
• Missed your contraceptive pill (see sections above on missed pills)
• Did not correctly use your contraceptive patch or vaginal ring
• Were late in having your contraceptive implant or injection
• Your intra-uterine coil expired

As discussed earlier, there are two types of emergency contraceptive pill (aka the morning after pill) which needs to be taken within 3-5 days maximum, and there is an option of having an intra-uterine device (copper coil) fitted within 5 days after unprotected sex. 

Head here to find out more about the different types of emergency contraceptive pills we offer and how they work, plus their possible side effects.

Consider your contraception after taking the emergency contraceptive pill

If you take a Levonelle emergency contraceptive pill (Levonorgestrel, Ezinelle and Levonelle one step on HANX), you need to follow the below steps:

• Take your next contraceptive pill, apply a new hormonal patch or insert a new vaginal ring within 12 hours of taking the emergency pill.
• Continue taking your contraceptive pill as normal.
• Alongside your regular contraceptive method, use additional contraception, such as condoms, for:
• 7 days if you use the patch, ring, COCPs (except Qlaira, which is not available on HANX), implant or injection.
• 9 days for the COCP Qlaira.
• 2 days if you use the POP.

If you take EllaOne, you should follow the below steps:

• Wait at least 5 days before taking your next contraceptive pill, applying a new hormonal patch or inserting a new vaginal ring.
• Use additional contraception, such as condoms, until you restart your method of contraception and an additional:
• 7 days if you use the patch, ring, COCPs (except Qlaira, which is not available on HANX), implant or injection.
• 9 days for the COCP Qlaira.
• 2 days if you use the POP.
  
  

The main things to consider with emergency contraceptive pills

1. Timing
   Consider how long it's been since you had unprotected sex, and how long it's likely to be until you can take the emergency contraceptive pill. EllaOne can be taken up to 5 days after sex, and Levonelle pills for up to 3 days. If you're ordering the pill via HANX, you need to make sure your order is in before 1pm Mon-Thurs to ensure next day delivery. Remember: you can order the morning after pill any time, any day to keep at home and prevent any panicky buying last minute in the future.
2. Medical history
   Our pharmacy team will review your questionnaire answers when you order your pill, but remember: you cannot take EllaOne if you have asthma that is not well controlled, or if you are breastfeeding. However, Levonelle is safe to take with breastfeeding. Your medical history is important to help our pharmacy team ensure you're receiving the right medication for you, so make sure you answer as truthfully and accurately as possible.
3. Medications you’re taking
   If you’re taking medication such as those used to treat HIV, epilepsy or tuberculosis, then the emergency contraceptive pill may not be suitable for you. Equally the herbal medicine St John’s Wort can interact with the emergency pills. It’s important to inform our pharmacy team, or your healthcare provider when purchasing the pill, of the medications you’re taking to ensure it is safe to take and at the correct dose. 
4. Ongoing contraception
   Emergency contraception should not be a regular medication, and therefore it’s important to consider the best contraception for you ongoing, to ensure this emergency episode does not happen again. If you need any advice, speak to your GP or healthcare provider.
5. Future use
   It’s wise to purchase an emergency contraceptive pill in advance if you’re worried about your contraceptive method failing, you’re going on holiday or you’re unable to easily access emergency contraception.

At HANX, we are all about being properly informed, so want you to know all of your options. If the emergency contraceptive pills are not right for you, the alternative emergency contraceptive choice is the intra-uterine device (IUD), also known as the copper coil. Read more about all options here.