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How Effective is the Morning After Pill?
If you’ve had unprotected sex or your contraception has failed, you’re going to want to know how effective the morning after pill is at stopping pregnancy.
How well it works depends on a few factors: your weight and current medication, when you take it, and which type you use.
Below we explain everything you need to know about emergency contraception to give you peace of mind.
Three key takeaways
- There are two morning after pills: ellaOne and levongestrel (Levonelle), in addition to an emergency IUD (copper coil) which is inserted into the cervix.
- If taken correctly, ellaOne is 98-99% effective, levongestrel is 95%, and the emergency IUD is over 99%.
- Your weight, certain medications, when you’ve taken it, when you ovulated, or if you’ve been sick, can all impact how effective the morning after pill is.
Effectiveness of emergency contraception compared
| Type | How long after sex | Effectiveness |
| ellaOne | Up to five days (120 hours), but best taken immediately | 98-99% effective if taken within 24 hours |
| Levonelle/Levongestrel | Up to three days (72 hours), but best taken immediately | About 95% effective if taken within 24 hours; 85% after 25-48 hours, and 58% after 49-72 hours |
| Emergency IUD/Copper coil | Up to five days (120 hours), and can be left in as a form of contraception | Over 99% effective if inserted within five days |