ellaOne: What It Is, How It Works, and What Alternatives You Should Know

When you need to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure, ellaOne, a prescription emergency contraceptive pill containing ulipristal acetate. Also known as the five-day pill, it’s one of the most effective options available when time is running out. Unlike older morning-after pills that only work within 72 hours, ellaOne stays effective for up to 120 hours—giving you more room to breathe if you’re unsure or delayed in acting.

It works by delaying or stopping ovulation, which means the egg isn’t released and can’t be fertilized. It doesn’t cause an abortion or harm an existing pregnancy. That’s important to understand. Many people confuse it with the abortion pill, but ellaOne is purely preventive. It’s not meant for regular use, and it won’t work if you’re already pregnant. The key is timing: the sooner you take it, the better it works. But even on day four or five, it still outperforms older options like levonorgestrel (Plan B).

People often compare ellaOne to other emergency contraceptives like levonorgestrel, a hormone found in Plan B and similar pills, or copper IUDs. Levonorgestrel works well if taken within 72 hours, but its effectiveness drops sharply after that. A copper IUD is the most effective option overall—over 99%—and can also serve as long-term birth control. But not everyone can get one right away. That’s where ellaOne fills the gap: it’s a single pill you can take at home, with no appointment needed in many places.

Side effects are usually mild—nausea, headache, cramps, or changes in your next period. Some women get their period early, others late. That’s normal. If your period is more than a week late, take a pregnancy test. And if you have severe pain or unusual bleeding, see a doctor. You should also talk to a healthcare provider before using ellaOne if you have liver problems, are on certain medications like epilepsy or TB drugs, or are breastfeeding.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t just a list of articles—it’s a real-world guide to what works, what doesn’t, and what you need to know before making a decision. You’ll see comparisons with other emergency options, how they stack up in cost and timing, and even how they interact with other meds you might be taking. No fluff. No guesswork. Just clear, practical info from real cases and clinical guidance.