Emergency Contraceptive Pill (morning after pill)
For the ‘just in case’ moments when Plan A didn’t go to plan.
Gets a B+ in pregnancy prevention.
The cheat Sheet
Common brand names
EllaOne, Postinor-1, Levonelle-1, NorLevo
Preventing pregnancy
Around 85% effective at preventing pregnancy
Starting on this method
Most Aussie pharmacies stock levonorgestrel-based pills, no ID, age limit, or prescription needed. EllaOne needs a prescription, which can usually be done from a pharmacist and in some cases. Some online and telehealth services also offer express delivery if you can’t get to a pharmacy.
Lasts for
The emergency contraceptive pill starts working as soon as you take it, but its job is to delay ovulation, so timing matters; in other words, the sooner, the better. It’s a one-time deal, it’s got your back for that one time, but it won’t cover you for anything after. If you’re getting back in the sheets, you’ll need protection round two.
Hormones
Yes, the emergency contraceptive pill delivers a short burst of synthetic hormones to delay ovulation, just enough to do the job, not stick around.
STIs
No protection against STIs
Periods
Your period might show up early, late, heavier, lighter, or just plain weird. That’s normal after the emergency contraceptive pill.
Acne/skin
Some people notice a breakout or skin changes after taking it - blame the hormone spike, but it usually settles fast.
Mood/emotions
You might feel a bit off - moody, weepy, or just blah, but it’s temporary and totally normal when your hormones do a quick flip.
Pregnancy after removal
Taking the morning-after pill won’t mess with your fertility; you can get pregnant as soon as your next ovulation, so don’t count on it for round two.
Visibility
It’s a pill that you swallow. There’s no obvious sign you’ve taken the emergency contraceptive pill, unless you choose to share.
Financial investment
In Australia, the emergency contraceptive pill usually costs $20-$45 over the counter, no prescription, no awkward questions, just swipe and go.
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (also known as the morning after pill) can be taken if you’ve had unprotected sex or something went sideways with your usual method.
Think of ovulation as your body’s big event, where the egg gets released and waits to meet sperm. The emergency contraceptive pill steps in as a delay button, telling your body “not yet” so the egg doesn’t show up. No egg means sperm has nothing to fertilise, and eventually gives up and dies off. Levonorgestrel (the most common type) uses a synthetic hormone to do this, while ulipristal acetate (ellaOne) blocks hormone signals more strongly and can work closer to ovulation. But here's the catch: neither pill works if ovulation has already happened; at that point, the egg’s already out, and the window to pause things has passed. That’s why timing matters, and why the emergency contraceptive pill is most effective when taken as soon as possible.
Most types are just one tablet, taken once at any time of day. In Australia, there are two types of emergency contraceptive pills, and both of them you can pick up at the pharmacy.
Levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception (brand names like Postinor-1) - works best when taken within 72 hours (three days) of unprotected sex.
Ulipristal acetate-based emergency contraception (brands like ellaOne) - may be more effective than levonorgestrel, particularly if it has been more than three days since unprotected sex, or if you weigh over 70kg. This one can be a bit more challenging to get, some pharmacies may ask you to speak with a pharmacist before they supply it. It’s also less commonly stocked, so it can be a bit harder to find. *Sigh of relief* Ah now my stress levels can come down - there are options!
It’s not the same as an abortion pill, doesn’t impact your fertility, and is most effective the sooner you take it.
- Those “oh no” moments, when the condom bailed, the pill was missed, the diaphragm didn’t do its thing, or something happened that wasn’t your choice.
- When your usual contraception didn’t quite go to plan, like missing a pill, skipping your ring or injection, or finding out your IUD has taken early retirement.
- When you didn’t plan to need backup, whether it was unprotected sex, a timing miscalculation, or a situation that left you feeling unsure, this is about giving yourself options and peace of mind.
- It won’t protect against STIs - the emergency contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy, not infections. If you had unprotected sex, it’s a good idea to get tested too (double whammy…we know, we’re sorry you are having to navigate all this, it can be a lot. We are virtually hugging you right now)
- It doesn’t protect you going forward - It only works for that one instance. You’ll need regular contraception for any sex that happens after taking it.
- Your next period might be a bit different - it could come earlier, later, or be heavier or lighter than usual. If your period is more than a week late, it may be worth taking a pregnancy test just to be sure!
The not-so-fun stuff
Common side effects
Emergency contraception is a bit like a hormonal surge in a capsule. It's one high dose, taken once, so the side effects tend to show up quickly but luckily, they also tend to disappear just as fast.
Most side effects only last a day or two. However, if you throw up within two hours of taking the pill, it might not have worked. Maybe time for a redo (and a call to your pharmacist or doctor).
Some people barely notice a thing. Others feel like their body is suddenly in a mood. Side effects vary, but the most commonly reported include:
- Nausea (feeling sick)
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Breast tenderness
- Lower tummy pain or cramps
- Spotting or changes to your next period
The Lowdown is a contraception review platform where real people share their experiences with different methods, including the morning-after pill. Think of it like the Rotten Tomatoes of birth control - honest, unfiltered, and super helpful when you want the full picture, not just the clinical blah blah blah.
- Feeling emotional or moody
- Sore boobs, tender tummy
- Period arriving early…or late…or weirdly light
- Feeling nauseous or vomiting
- Worry about whether it worked - the emotional toll is real
- Reassurance that it was easy, accessible, and worth the peace of mind
Things to consider
- It works best the sooner you take it. Levonorgestrel pills (like Postinor) are effective up to 3 days after sex. Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne) works up to 5 days. Neither are 100%.
- They’re less reliable if you’ve already ovulated, are on certain medications, or have a higher body weight (see below).
- For levonorgestrel (e.g. Postinor), effectiveness may drop in people over 70kg.
- For ulipristal (e.g. EllaOne), it may be less effective over 88kg.
- Not a hard-and-fast rule, but something to be aware of. A copper IUD is the most effective emergency contraception for all body types. However, this is a long-term method of contraception with a bit of a process to get inserted, so it's the kind of thing you want to give some thought to beforehand!
Some medications (like certain epilepsy drugs, HIV treatments, or St John’s Wort) can reduce how well the morning-after pill works.
If you're unsure, ask a pharmacist, they’re absolute legends when it comes to this stuff.
A good place to start
Accessing the emergency contraceptive pill
(without melting into a puddle of awkwardness)
1. The selection
There are two main types of emergency contraception pills:
Levonorgestrel (Postinor etc.) - best taken within 72 hours (3 days), but ideally ASAP.
Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne) - works up to 120 hours (5 days) and may be more effective close to ovulation.
Some pharmacies stock both. Some only have one. Knowing the names gives you power. (And stops that weird flustered feeling where you just say (“um…the…pill…you know...the emergency one?”)
2. Pickup or delivered?
You’ve got options:
- Local pharmacy - Walk in, ask the pharmacist, done and dusted.
- Online - some services deliver discreetly and fast. No eye contact necessary. The service we’d recommend is Youly. An Australian-based judgement-free pharmacy team that offer same-day delivery of emergency contraception! Game changer!
- Sexual health clinics or GPs - can be helpful if you need more advice, particularly on contraceptive options too.
Hot tip: If you’re nervous about speaking out loud, you can write it down or show it to them on your phone. Pharmacies have seen everything. You won’t shock them.
3. Prep your script (if you want)
If you’re feeling a little frazzled by the whole ordeal, having a mental script helps. Could be something like:
“Hi, I’d like to get the emergency contraceptive pill, please."
That’s it. That’s the line. Nailed it. Pat yourself on the back!
They might ask a few questions like when you had unprotected sex, where you’re at in your cycle, or what medications you’re on. It’s not a test. It’s to help you get the right pill. You don’t need to justify or explain your why.
4. Don't apologise for being here
Seriously. This is healthcare. You’re doing the right thing. Any shame or guilt can be shown to the door. Not needed here.
Tell that weird internal monologue that's telling you "they're judging me" to buzz off.
Reality is that they’re probably thinking about their chicken and mustard sandwich that they are having for lunch. Ha!
If you feel judged? That’s on them. Not you.
5. Take it, breathe, move on
Most pills work best the sooner you take them. So pop it with some water, take a deep breath, and give yourself a moment.
You did the hard part. You're looking after yourself and your future. That’s huge.
Mythbusters: Emergency contraceptive pill edition
*not trademarked*
If you’re a 90s kid or older, you probably just pictured two guys in safety goggles blowing something up. This is a different kind of busting - no explosions here, just some pretty deep-seated myths that are going around.)
How many times have we heard this old chestnut? Too many!
Taking the emergency contraceptive pill more than once isn’t bad for you! It shouldn't impact your health long term.
However, it’s also not ideal as your regular birth control go-to.
This is because:
- It’s less effective than ongoing contraception if used repeatedly.
- It can mess with your cycle, making it harder to predict ovulation (which makes timing more stressful).
- It might be a sign that your current contraception method isn’t working for you and there are better long-term options out there.
So yes, it’s safe to use more than once. But if you find yourself needing it often, it might be time for a chat with your GP or sexual health nurse to find something that fits your life better.
Nope. Not a thing.
There is no evidence that using emergency contraception, whether once or multiple times has any long-term effect on your fertility.
Your ovaries won’t “run out” of eggs using it. Your body won’t forget how to ovulate. And your future self trying for a baby if that’s on your bingo card? They’re going to be just fine!
Once the hormones from the pill clear your system (usually in a few days), your body goes right back to its regular scheduled programming.
Nope, you don’t need to book an appointment, explain your situation in detail, and awkwardly whisper “emergency contraception” to your GP while avoiding eye contact.
In Australia (and in many countries), you can get the emergency contraceptive pill straight from a pharmacy, no prescription required. Just a quick chat with the pharmacist to make sure it’s the right fit for you.
And guess what? Many places now offer it online, delivered discreetly to your door (in your oodie, no pants required.)
You can. And it’s safe.
- Levonorgestrel-based pills (e.g. Postinor): completely safe while breastfeeding.
- Ulipristal acetate (EllaOne): advised to pause breastfeeding for one week after taking, as small amounts can pass into breastmilk.
If you’re still unsure, ask your pharmacist; they’ll help you pick the one that fits your needs (and your feeding schedule).
The emergency contraceptive pill is not an abortion pill
Nope. Big nope. Not even close.
The emergency contraceptive pill does not cause an abortion. It doesn’t end a pregnancy; it helps prevent one from happening in the first place.
Here’s how it works: the emergency contraceptive pill steps in like a delay button, telling your body, "hold up on releasing the egg this month". No egg means sperm has nothing to fertilise, and eventually gives up and dies off (bit dramatic, but you get the idea).
If you’re already pregnant when you take it, it won’t do anything to the pregnancy. It’s not an abortion pill; they’re two totally different medications for totally different situations.
Troubleshooting: The emergency contraceptive pill
A late period can happen after taking the emergency contraceptive pill. It’s common for your period to be a few days earlier or later than usual, and the flow might be lighter or heavier than normal.
But if your period is more than 7 days late, or it’s unusually light and you’ve had unprotected sex, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test, just to be sure. Nothing beats the sweet taste of peace of mind.
Yes, you can take it more than once if you have unprotected sex again. But each dose only works for sex that happened before you took it.
If you do need to take it more than once in the same cycle, try to stick with the same type you used the first time. Switching between different types (like taking one brand the first time and a different one the second time) might make them less effective.
It depends on which morning-after pill you took.
If you took the ulipristal acetate kind (like EllaOne), you’ll need to wait 5 days before taking any hormonal contraception (like the pill, the ring, the injection, or the implant). Starting too soon can make the emergency contraceptive pill less effective, and we don’t want that!
If you took the levonorgestrel kind (like Postinor), you can go ahead and keep using your usual contraception straight away.
Double-check this with your doctor or pharmacist to make sure that this is the right plan for you!
If it’s been more than five days, emergency contraception won’t be effective anymore.
But you’re not out of options, it’s a good idea to take a pregnancy test if:
- Your period is late
- Your period is lighter or shorter than usual
- Or it’s been three weeks since the unprotected sex (that’s about how long it takes for pregnancy hormones to show up in a urine test)
Hey, it’s totally okay to feel overwhelmed, just take it one step at a time. Testing is quick, private, and gives you the info you need to figure out what’s next. You’ve got this.
Where this info comes from
This page was created using guidance from trusted Australian and international health organisations, clinical guidelines, and peer-reviewed research. These sources support the medical accuracy, accessibility, and lived experience approach behind this content.
- BetterHealth Channel - emergency contraception
- Family Planning NSW - emergency contraception
- Healthdirect Australia - ‘Morning after’ pill (emergency contraception pill)
- Sexual Health Victoria - Emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill)
- SHINE SA - Emergency contraception
- MSI Australia - Emergency contraceptive pill (morning after pill)
- Body Talk - Emergency contraceptive pill
- Melbourne Sexual Health Centre
- FSRH (Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, UK) - emergency contraception
- WHO – Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, 5th edition
- NHS UK - emergency contraception
- Brook - Emergency contraception: the morning after pill
- Planned Parenthood - Emergency contraception (morning-after pill)
- Mayo Clinic - Morning-after pill
- WebMD - Levonorgestrel Emergency Contraception: Plan B
- Cleland, K., Raymond, E. G., Westley, E., & Trussell, J. (2014). Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. Clinical obstetrics and gynecology, 57(4), 741–750. https://doi.org/10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056
- Otten, C. (2021). The sex ed you never had. Allen & Unwin.
- Hill, S. E. (2019). This is your brain on birth control: The surprising science of women, hormones, and the law of unintended consequences. Avery.
