New Emergency Contraception
The FDA recently approved a new method of emergency contraception also called the morning after pill, Ella (ulipristal acetate). There will now be two methods on the market. Why a new pill? What makes this one so special may be found in how efficient the pills works, as many as five days after unprotected sex; and its chemical properties, consisting of a similar drug found in RU-486.
When should it be used? 
Emergency contraception is just that contraception that is needed in a state of emergency. It is not intended for use as a primary method of birth control. Instead it is designed to use in extreme cases like the first week a hormonal method is started, a condom breaks, or rape. Ella is as efficient on the 5th day as it is on the first day and this is different from Plan B that gradually decreases efficacy by the fifth day.
How does it work?
Although this method claims the same uses as One Step Plan B, it is becoming more controversial because of the chemical properties in the drug that are similar to RU-486, considered an abortion causing drug up to 9 weeks after pregnancy. It is this component, the urlipristal acetate, that leads some groups to consider this emergency contraception unique in that it may cause an abortion. This is not so according to patient information for Ella, which states the method of pregnancy prevention to be that of preventing fertilization and implantation.
What are the side-effects?
Common side effects of Ella include mild to moderate headache, nausea, abdominal pain, painful menstrual cramps, fatigue and dizziness. None of these symptoms can be attributed to abortion since animal studies show that Ella has little effect on an established pregnancy.
Where can you get it?
You can get Ella by prescription only from any health care provider. For any sexually active woman whether they are on birth control or not, they should have a reliable method of emergency contraception in their medicine cabinet. It looks like there is one more method that will fit that bill even more reliably.
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