Why Ella is Prescribed

Ella is a progesterone agonist medication that your doctor can prescribe as an emergency contraceptive to prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or if there was an unexpected contraceptive malfunction. Forgot to take your birth control pill? Condom broke? Unplanned encounter? See your doctor right away and ask for a prescription to buy Ella, the one pill that will work for 5 days without a decrease in its efficacy whereas other emergency contraceptives are usually good for 3 days and are less effective each 12 hours that pass.

How Ella Helps You Avoid an Unplanned Pregnancy

When taken as directed, Ella is believed to make your body think that ovulation has already occurred so that your ovaries will not release an egg. The active ingredient of Ella, called Ulipristal Acetate, also increases the thickness of the mucus lining of your cervix so it is more difficult for sperm to reach your womb. Just in case sperm make it through the first obstacles, Ella helps to change your uterine lining so a fertilized egg cannot attach.

Sperm can live as long as 5 days inside a woman’s body so Ella can provide you with the protection you need and want when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex to stop an unplanned pregnancy.

Conditions Treated by Ella

There are other emergency contraceptives on the market, but most are only able to give you up to 3 days of protection which can be 2 days short of what you need. Ella is not an abortion pill and is not to be taken to terminate an existing pregnancy. It was designed for peace of mind knowing that, for whatever reason, your sexual encounter will not result in an unplanned pregnancy. Ella will not prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, so it is always advisable to use protection to minimize the risks of transmission.

Before You Take Ella

Make your doctor aware of other medical conditions or allergies you have and provide a list of any OTC or Rx medications you are taking, including dietary, herbal, and vitamin supplements. This can help your doctor determine if Ella is the best drug of choice for you.

If you think you may already be pregnant, be tested before taking Ella as the ingredients can be harmful to an unborn and nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you have a history of ectopic pregnancy where the fetus develops outside of your uterus, usually in one of your fallopian tubes.

Proper Use and Recommendations for Ella

Do not take Ella to terminate a pregnancy. See your doctor at once if you are experiencing severe pain in your lower abdomen, especially if it occurs on only one side. Ella should only be taken once during your menstrual cycle and taken within 5 days after unprotected intercourse. Because the active ingredient in Ella can decrease the efficacy of hormonal contraceptives, you should also use another form of birth control, such as a condom or diaphragm.

Possible Side Effects of Ella

• Cramps
• Headache
• Nausea
• Dizziness

Drugs Similar to Ella

• Levonelle One Step
• Plan B Emergency Contraceptive