The Morning-After Pill: You Have More Time — and More Options — Than You Think
Unprotected sex, a split condom, a couple of missed pills — and now a countdown in your head. Breathe. You have up to 5 days, and three good ways to prevent a pregnancy: two tablets and the coil. A registered Irish doctor will find the best one for your situation and send the morning-after pill (ellaOne or levonorgestrel) to your pharmacy today, or arrange the coil — €34.99, seven days a week. Sooner is stronger, so let’.”‘”.’s get moving.
Book an emergency contraception consultation — pick a time
Your consultation is preselected. Choose a slot below, add your details, and a registered Irish doctor will call you — same-day slots are the norm.
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One certificate per consultation
A sick note and a fit-to-work certificate certify opposite things — that you are unfit for work, and that you are fit to return. Each needs its own clinical assessment, so they cannot both be issued from the same consultation. If you need both, please book two separate appointments. Booking this consultation intending to obtain both does not entitle you to a refund.
The right method depends mostly on how long it’.”‘”.’s been:
Within 5 days (120h): ellaOne tablet, or a copper coil (the coil is the most effective at any point in this window).
Within 3 days (72h): the levonorgestrel tablet is also an option.
Sooner is always better — effectiveness drops the longer you leave it, so book now rather than tonight.
The three options
ellaOne (ulipristal) — the stronger tablet
One tablet, works up to 5 days, and is generally more effective than levonorgestrel — including mid-cycle when the risk is highest. One catch: after ellaOne, wait 5 days before starting or restarting hormonal contraception (use condoms meanwhile). Breastfeeding? Express and discard milk for a week.
Levonorgestrel — the 72-hour tablet
One tablet, works up to 3 days. If you weigh over 70kg or your BMI is over 26 (or you take certain medicines), a double dose is recommended. You can restart hormonal contraception straight away afterwards.
Copper coil — the most effective
Fitted within the 5-day window it is over 99% effective — the most reliable option there is — and then doubles as 5–10 years of ongoing contraception if you keep it. It needs a clinic fitting; we’.”‘”.’ll point you to same-week appointments, and you can take a tablet now as backup.
Vomited within 3 hours of a tablet? You need another dose — get back in touch. Been more than 5 days, or unsure when you ovulated? Still check in — a coil may work, and it’.”‘”.’s worth a proper look.
After you’.”‘”.’ve taken it
It only covers this one episode — use condoms until your next period.
Your period may shift a little; test if it’.”‘”.’s over a week late, much lighter than usual, or you’.”‘”.’re worried.
No reliable ongoing method? This is the moment to fix that — the same consultation can start it.
Emergency contraception is safe, but it’.”‘”.’s a backstop, not a routine — ongoing contraception is more effective.
Get in-person care for severe one-sided lower tummy pain in the following weeks (a test is needed to rule out an ectopic pregnancy). And emergency contraception doesn’.”‘”.’t cover STIs — if this was a new or casual partner, consider STI testing.
How the online consultation works
Book a time above — same-day slots, seven days a week.
Quick private call — timing, your details, any missed contraception.
Sorted the same day — the right tablet to your pharmacy (double dose where needed), or a coil-fitting referral, plus a plan for ongoing contraception.
Frequently asked questions
How long have I actually got?
Longer than most people assume. The ellaOne tablet works up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex; the levonorgestrel tablet up to 3 days (72 hours); and a copper coil can be fitted up to 5 days after sex, or up to 5 days after your earliest likely ovulation. Effectiveness is higher the sooner you act — so don’t wait — but being on day 3 or 4 does not mean you’ve missed the boat.
Which one should I take?
For most situations ellaOne is the more effective tablet and covers the full 5 days, including mid-cycle when you’re most fertile. Levonorgestrel is a solid 3-day option and lets you restart hormonal contraception immediately (with ellaOne you wait 5 days). The copper coil beats both on effectiveness and keeps working as ongoing contraception. The doctor matches the method to your timing, your weight and your plans.
Does my weight change things?
It can. The levonorgestrel tablet works less well if you weigh over 70kg or have a BMI over 26 — in that case a double dose is advised, or ellaOne or a copper coil may be the better call. It’s one of the reasons a 5-minute consultation beats guessing at the pharmacy shelf: you leave with the option most likely to actually work for you.
What happens after I take it?
It covers this one episode only, so use condoms until your next period. That period might come a little early or late. Do a pregnancy test if it’s more than 7 days late, noticeably lighter than usual, or you’re anxious. And it’s a natural moment to set up reliable ongoing contraception — we can do that in the same consultation.
My contraception failed — split condom, missed pills. Can you help?
That’s the most common reason people need this. Bring your details (which pill, how many missed, when) and the doctor will advise on the right emergency option AND exactly how to get your regular method back on track afterwards, so you’re not left unprotected.
Is it discreet?
Entirely. A private phone or video consultation with a registered Irish doctor, prescription straight to your pharmacy — no waiting room, no explaining yourself over a counter. If your situation involves assault or coercion, please know a Sexual Assault Treatment Unit (SATU) offers specialist, confidential care, and we can help you find the nearest one.
This page is general health information, not a diagnosis. A registered Irish doctor will assess your individual situation during your consultation. In an emergency call 999 or 112.
Emergency contraception — what are my options right now?
A quick, private check of which emergency contraception is still effective for you, based on timing. It cannot prescribe — a doctor confirms the right option — but with emergency contraception every hour matters, so let's work out where you stand.
How long ago was the unprotected sex or contraception failure?
Have you already taken emergency contraception this cycle?
Do you weigh more than about 70 kg (11 stone)?
Weight can affect how well some morning-after pills work — the doctor uses this to pick the right option.
Do you take any of these?
Epilepsy medicines, rifampicin (an antibiotic), HIV medicines, or St John's Wort.
✓ Sent — check your inbox (our team can also help you book).
Important: this self-check is an information tool, not a diagnosis or prescription — a registered doctor confirms the right option for you. The copper coil (IUD) is the most effective emergency contraception and is arranged through a family-planning clinic. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking a morning-after pill, you may need another dose — contact a doctor or pharmacist. Your answers stay on this device unless you choose to share them.
Aoife isn't a doctor. For emergencies call 999 or 112.
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