What to expect immediately after taking ellaOne
After taking ellaOne, your body may experience several temporary side effects as a result of the hormonal changes. These are generally mild and pass within a few days. It's important to differentiate these from signs of pregnancy or more serious complications. Being prepared for these changes can help reduce anxiety during the waiting period.
Potential side effects and how to manage them
- Nausea or upset stomach: This is a common side effect. Taking the pill with a small meal can help. If you vomit within three hours of taking ellaOne, contact a healthcare provider, as you may need to take another dose.
- Headaches and dizziness: Staying hydrated and resting can help manage these symptoms. Over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol or ibuprofen can also provide relief. Avoid alcohol, as it may worsen dizziness.
- Fatigue and tiredness: Feeling unusually tired is also common. Rest is the best remedy.
- Abdominal pain and cramps: These can be similar to period pains. Using a heating pad can provide comfort. If the pain is severe, it's important to seek medical advice immediately to rule out other issues, such as an ectopic pregnancy.
- Breast tenderness: This is a result of hormonal fluctuations and usually subsides on its own.
Actions to take in the first 24 hours
- If you vomit: As mentioned, if you are sick within three hours of taking the pill, it may not have been fully absorbed. You will need to contact a pharmacist or doctor for advice on whether to take a repeat dose.
- Breastfeeding considerations: The manufacturer recommends not breastfeeding for one week after taking ellaOne. During this time, you should pump and discard the milk to maintain milk production.
Long-term follow-up and next steps
After the initial post-pill period, your focus should shift to confirming the medication's effectiveness and planning your ongoing birth control strategy. ellaOne is not a replacement for regular contraception and provides no protection for subsequent acts of unprotected sex.
Monitoring your menstrual cycle
Your next period may be different from your normal cycle. It can be a few days earlier or later, and the flow might be heavier or lighter than usual. A delayed period is common, but if it is more than seven days late, you should take a pregnancy test.
Resuming regular contraception
It is crucial to understand how ellaOne interacts with other contraceptives. Because ellaOne's active ingredient, ulipristal acetate, is a progesterone blocker, it can interfere with hormonal birth control.
- Wait to restart hormonal contraception: If you use hormonal birth control (pills, patch, ring, or injection), you must wait at least five full days after taking ellaOne before resuming or starting your hormonal method.
- Use barrier contraception: During this waiting period, and until your next period, you must use a reliable barrier method like condoms to prevent pregnancy.
Comparison of post-pill care: ellaOne vs. Plan B
Understanding the differences between emergency contraceptive pills is important for proper follow-up care.
| Feature | ellaOne (ulipristal acetate) | Plan B and generics (levonorgestrel) |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Binds to progesterone receptors, delaying ovulation even closer to when it's about to occur. | Delays ovulation by providing a surge of progestin hormone. |
| Interaction with Hormonal Birth Control | Requires a 5-day wait before resuming or starting hormonal contraception. | Can be started immediately after taking the pill. |
| Need for Barrier Contraception | Essential until your next period arrives. | Also needed for ongoing protection until regular contraception is effective. |
| Effectiveness Timeline | Works for up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex, but is most effective when taken earliest. | Most effective within 72 hours, with declining effectiveness over time. |
| Breastfeeding Recommendations | Pump and discard milk for one week. | No required pause in breastfeeding. |
When to seek professional medical advice
While most side effects are harmless and temporary, some symptoms require immediate medical attention to rule out complications like an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus and can be life-threatening.
Contact a doctor or sexual health clinic immediately if you experience:
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain.
- Abnormal or heavy bleeding that soaks a pad every hour for two hours or more.
- Any other unusual symptoms that cause you concern.
Conclusion
Taking ellaOne is a highly effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex, but the process doesn't end with swallowing the pill. Proactive steps must be taken to ensure its success, from managing common side effects like nausea and a delayed period to using barrier protection for subsequent sexual activity. Most importantly, understanding how and when to restart your regular hormonal contraception is vital for continued protection. By monitoring your body for a week or two and performing a pregnancy test if your period is more than seven days late, you can confirm the pill's effectiveness and move forward with confidence. If any severe or unusual symptoms arise, do not hesitate to contact a healthcare professional immediately.
