There are many myths about Emergency Contraception. The following are some of the most common:

Myth:
You can only use Norlevo® 1.5mg two or three times in a year
Although Norlevo® 1.5mg should be reserved for emergencies but there is no medical reason why you can't use Norlevo® 1.5mg more than once. If you need Norlevo® 1.5mg, it can be used when necessary but should not replace long-term methods of contraception. It is not as reliable as regular, long-term methods of contraception and increases your chances of an unplanned pregnancy.

If you do take it more than once, it is more likely to alter the timing of your next period which means you could be putting yourself at a greater risk of pregnancy.

Myth:
Norlevo® 1.5mg will upset the timing of your periods for months
Norlevo® 1.5mg has no long-term effect on your monthly cycle.

Myth:
Norlevo® 1.5mg affects your long-term fertility
There is no evidence that Norlevo® 1.5mg has any effect on a woman's future ability to become pregnant.

Myth:
Emergency contraceptive pills are mainly used by young girls aged 16 - 18
Research has shown that the people who are most likely to buy Norlevo® 1.5mg in a pharmacy are women aged 25-34 years.

Myth:
You're likely to be sick when you take Norlevo® 1.5mg
Wrong. Most women will neither feel nor be sick. In studies only 1% of women were sick after taking Norlevo® 1.5mg. If you are sick within 3 hours of taking the tablet you will need to contact your healthcare professional or pharmacist right away.

Myth:
Norlevo® 1.5mg is only for young women
Wrong. You can use Norlevo® 1.5mg emergency contraception right up to the menopause.

Myth:
You have to take Norlevo® 1.5mg (an emergency contraceptive pill) the morning after unprotected sex
Provided you follow the instructions, you can take Norlevo® 1.5mg up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex but its effectiveness decreases with time. It is important to act quickly.

Myth:
You can develop other health problems if you take Norlevo® 1.5mg
There is no evidence that Norlevo® 1.5mg affects your long-term health in any way.

Myth:
Taking Norlevo® 1.5mg is like having an abortion
If a fertilised egg has embedded itself in the womb and you are already pregnant, Norlevo® 1.5mg does not work, so it is not like having an abortion, nor is there any evidence that it will affect the foetus. If you know you are already pregnant, you should not take Norlevo® 1.5mg. It works mainly by stopping or preventing the release of an egg from your ovary. It may also work by preventing sperm from reaching the egg.

Myth:
You can only take Norlevo® 1.5mg once
Norlevo® 1.5mg is for emergency contraception only, but there is no medical reason why you can't use Norlevo® 1.5mg more than once if this is necessary. However you should try not to take it more than once in any one cycle as there is a greater likelihood that Norlevo® 1.5mg will disrupt the timing of your next period which may put you at a greater risk of pregnancy. Nor should you use it as a regular method of contraception because on its own, it is not as reliable as regular, long-term methods of contraception and you would increase your chances of an unplanned pregnancy.

Norlevo® 1.5mg should not replace regular, long-term contraception. Always read the label. Contains levonorgestrel. Not 100% effective. Norlevo® 1.5mg can be used for up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it's more effective the sooner you take it.

For further information please click here for the patient information leaflet, which contains information about Norlevo® 1.5mg, how to take it and any possible side effects you may experience. Talk to your pharmacist for further information.