I want to thank ellaOne® for giving me reassurance when I was panicking!

Written by: Holly, 29

I want to thank ellaOne for giving me reassurance when I was panicking! 

We noticed the condom had slipped off inside after sex and immediately decided I wanted to take an emergency contraceptive. I was apprehensive as I had, according to my app, already ovulated but went to the pharmacy and took ellaOne anyway.*

I was so worried about it not working. The uncomfortable side effects lasted about 3 days and a bit, but I was fine after that. I’m so relieved and happy that my period came (late). The best news I could’ve received to be honest!

* ellaOne® works by delaying ovulation so that any sperm in the female reproductive system cannot find an egg to fertilise, and so no pregnancy can occur.

If ovulation has already taken place, no morning after pill will be effective. It can be hard to know when you have ovulated as your cycle can change from month to month. Our ‘Ask Ella’ piece ‘What are the signs of ovulation’, can help you to identify when ovulation takes place. 

By taking ellaOne® as soon as possible after unprotected sex, you reduce the risk of ovulating in that time.

The morning after pill only works by preventing ovulation, it can not cause an abortion and it will not have any effect in a case where an egg has already been fertilised.