Woman lying down in bed with tablet
Woman lying down in bed with tablet
ellaOne® Questions

Got a question about ellaOne®? Wondering how the morning after pill really works? Heard something worrying about side effects and want to get an answer you can trust? You’re in the right place.

Some people can find the experience of taking emergency contraception nerve-wracking, and often that’s because they don’t have all of the facts. A lot of people were never taught about the morning after pill, meaning that there are lots of harmful myths and misunderstandings out there that can stop people from accessing emergency contraception.

At ellaOne®, we believe that by educating people about this type of contraception we can overcome the stigma and fear associated with it. That’s why we’ve put together a set of no-nonsense answers to your most frequently asked questions about ellaOne®.

What is ellaOne®?
How does ellaOne® work?
Where can I buy ellaOne®?

Does ellaOne® work if you’ve already ovulated?

ellaOne® works by delaying ovulation, so if you have already ovulated it will not have any effect.

That said, ovulation is very difficult to accurately predict, can vary from month to month, and is affected by all sorts of factors including stress, travel and diet. So if you think you may have ovulated but aren’t 100% sure, ellaOne® might still be an option for you. We advise that you talk to your pharmacist or GP if you want to use ellaOne®, but are worried you may have ovulated.

If you have had unprotected sex at the point of ovulation, the copper intrauterine device (copper coil) is the only emergency contraceptive that could still be effective.

Does ellaOne® stop implantation?
How long does ellaOne® delay ovulation for?
Can ellaOne® harm a baby?
Can you take ellaOne® twice in one cycle?
What happens after taking ellaOne®?
Can I have sex after taking ellaOne®?
Do I need to continue taking my contraceptive pill after taking ellaOne®?
Can I start taking the contraceptive pill as a new method of contraception after taking ellaOne®?
Can ellaOne® delay your period?
Can ellaOne® mess up your cycle?
Does ellaOne® make you bleed?
Does ellaOne® cause stomach pain?
Can ellaOne® make you feel pregnant?
Can you drink alcohol after taking ellaOne®?

 

We hope that we’ve answered all your questions about ellaOne®, if you have a question that you can’t see answered here, try: All you need to know about ellaOne® or contact HRA Pharma directly.

Photo of Samuelle Yohou
Samuelle Yohou
Medical Manager
Medically reviewed in February 2021.