Ladies- we know that a toss in the hay without a condom or other protection doesn’t mean a lady has to end up pregnant.   And many of us know that Ella, the emergency contraceptive pill effective for up to 5 days, is better for us curvy women than the regular ‘Morning After Pill.”  Pills like Norlevo, Plan B, Postinor,  Take Action, etc are levonorgestrel-based  and most effective only during the first 72 hours after unprotected sex.  They have also been proven less effective among women with a high body mass index (BMI).

The first dedicated “Morning After Pill” or emergency contraceptive was based on the hormone levenorgestrel.  Then a new pill made with ulipristal acetate, 30 mg or UPA named Ella came out with two key benefits: it was effective up to 5 days after unprotected sex,  and it was also thought to be more effective for women with a higher BMI.

For more SuzyKnew! articles on emergency contraception click here and here.

Now UK government guidelines state that both levonorgestrel and UPA-based emergency contraceptive pills are not good choices for overweight women to avoid pregnancy.  The guidelines state the copper IUD is the method that is the most effective option for overweight and obese women who want to avoid pregnancy after unprotected sex.  Although many healthcare providers and women remain unfamiliar with the copper IUD, it has long been documented as the best option for emergency contraception. But, until now, it was not clear that even the new Morning After Pill or Ella is not as effective as once believed for women with high BMI.

Ladies, let’s make sure we chose the options that are made for us and best us.