How does the Emergency Contraceptive Pill Work?
The emergency contraceptive pill is made of progestogen, which is similar to a hormone produced naturally in a woman’s body. It is most likely that the emergency contraceptive pill works by affecting the lining of the womb so an egg cannot settle there and/or by preventing or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary (ovulation). Emergency contraception is not intended to be used regularly and should be used as a back up to methods of contraception that are designed for regular use. How effective is it? The sooner the emergency contraceptive pill is taken after unprotected sex, the better it is likely to work. If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, the emergency contraceptive pill will prevent up to 95% of pregnancies expected to have occurred if emergency contraception had not been used. If taken between 25 to 48 hours after sex, it will prevent up to 85% of pregnancies and between 49 to 72 hours after sex, it will prevent up to 58% of pregnancies that would have been expect
