Levonelle or ellaOne

What’s covered?

Family planning involves planned parenthood. Most couples today use some form of birth control before they are ready to start a family. Although you may be quite planned and organized with your family planning and birth control, you may not be surprised to know that instances of contraceptive methods failing are not unheard of.

Some of the causes of your contraceptive failure include forgetting to take your birth control(contraceptive) pill, a tear in your condom, or sex without consensus. Emergency contraceptives have proven to be the rescuer in such situations.

It is not uncommon to miss your routine contraceptive protection.

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraceptives are known to be very effective in cases of unprotected sex. If taken at the right time, before ovulation has occurred, it is known to successfully prevent pregnancy. They are available in two forms and include:

1. Intrauterine device (IUD)

2. The emergency contraception pill or the morning-after pill

Emergency IUD

An intrauterine device is placed inside the uterus by a trained health professional.

The intra-uterine device is a small T-shaped device, made of plastic and copper. It is generally fitted into your uterus by your GP or nurse. The IUD is effective if inserted within five days of having unprotected sex.

Emergency contraceptive pills or the morning-after pill

This form of emergency contraception is easy to use as well as effective in preventing pregnancy after having unprotected intercourse. Although known as the morning-after pill, you need not wait till the morning to consume the tablet. The quicker you take the pill, the more effective is the contraceptive pill in avoiding your pregnancy. Available in the form of tablets, the consumption of one tablet is sufficient to effectively prevent pregnancy. There are two types of emergency contraceptive pills available, they include:

Levonelle and ellaOne

Is ellaOne or Levonelle better?

Emergency contraceptive pill-Levonelle

Levonelle pill is a man-made form of the natural hormone progesterone. It helps to prevent pregnancy by stopping or delaying ovulation (the release of the egg from the ovary). For the pill to be effective, it must be consumed within 72 hours or 3 days after unprotected sex. Chances of pregnancy, even after consuming Levonelle have been observed to be as less as 1 to 2%.

Facts to be considered

One must be mindful that the consumption of Levonelle does not provide continued contraception, you could get pregnant if you have unprotected intercourse after consuming the pill.

Levonelle is available over the counter at many pharmacies. Also, your GP may provide you with the pill free of cost. It is the more commonly used contraceptive pill and is also cheaper than its counterpart, ellaOne.

It is proven to be 95% effective if consumed within 24 hours of unprotected sex.

Similarly, you do not need to wait before resuming your routine contraceptive pills. It is better to continue them after 12 hours.

After consuming the pill, if you have had unprotected sex again, you can take levonelle once again. It is considered safe to have levonelle twice in the same menstrual cycle.

It is also considered safe for breastfeeding women, as the drug is not harmful to your child.

To buy the contraceptive pills mentioned visit our Welzo Pharmacy.

Emergency Contraceptive Pill-ellaOne

ellaOne is an effective morning after pill.

This is the more effective one of the two morning-after pills. ellaOne is known to prevent pregnancy if consumed within 72 hours or 5 days of having unprotected sex. Containing ulipristal acetate, a compound that mimics progesterone hormone and acts by disrupting the normal function of progesterone in the body. It thereby, delays or stops the process of ovulation.

Facts to be considered

Why is ellaOne more effective than Levonelle?

Chances of pregnancy even after taking ellaOne are as less as 0.6 to 2.6%.

Although more expensive as compared to levonelle, it is proven to be 98% effective even if consumed after 120 hours of unprotected sex. It continues to be effective even after the leutinizing hormone(LH) continues to rise in your body.

One must know that drug manufacturers recommend breastfeeding women avoid using the ellaOne pill. Levonelle may be a better option for you.

Side Effects of emergency contraceptive pill

Abdominal pain

Headache

Nausea

Spotting

Takeaway

Although Levonelle and ellaOne are both quite effective in emergency contraception, you may assess your situation, and accordingly, take the pill that’s better suited for you. In case of any underlying health conditions, it is better to take the advice of your GP regarding which pill you should consume, as they may interact with other drugs. It is also recommended that you consult your GP, if you vomit after consuming the pill, as you may need to consume your pill once again. You must also watch out for sexually transmitted infections and consult your doctor for the same, as the morning-after pill does not protect you against STIs.

To find out more about female contraception read more on our Welzo Women's Health Hub.