The morning after pill in Singapore can protect against pregnancy when unprotected sex has happened. Whether it is a contraceptive failure or a spur-of-the-moment decision, it is crucial to be well-informed about emergency contraception options. At Dame, we tell you what every Singaporean couple needs to know about the morning after pill.
Murphy’s law states, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong”. Condom mishaps can happen, contraceptive plans can fail. Every couple needs a back up plan for that what-if when pregnancy is not on the cards.
In Singapore, the morning after pill provides a solution for couples who find themselves in need of emergency contraception. In this handbook, we walk you through what every man and woman should know about the morning after pill in Singapore. Be empowered to take control should that morning after occurs.
Understanding the Morning After Pill
What is the Morning After Pill?
The Morning After Pill is also known as emergency contraception. It is a birth control method that can be used after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. It is designed to prevent pregnancy when taken within a specific time frame, typically 72 hours after sexual activity.
How Does It Work?
The Morning After Pill contains hormones or interfere with hormones to lower the chance of pregnancy in the following ways:
Inhibition of Ovulation
This contraceptive method primarily works by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, the process where an egg is released from the ovaries. If an egg is not released, the sperm cannot meet the egg for fertilisation to happen. Pregnancy cannot happen.
Alteration of Cervical Mucus
The Morning After Pill may change the cervical mucus consistency, making it thicker and harder for sperm to move through. This makes it more difficult for sperm to reach and fertilise the egg.
Changes in Uterine Lining
The uterus is where a fertilised egg attaches and grows into a pregnancy. The Morning After Pill can alter the uterine lining. If fertilisation has already occurred, the Morning After Pill may prevent the fertilised egg from attaching to the uterus. This reduces the likelihood of a fertilised egg developing into a pregnancy.
Is the Morning After Pill an Abortion Pill?
No. The Morning After Pill cannot reverse a pregnancy that has already started. It is not an abortion pill.
The Morning After Pill will not terminate an existing pregnancy. It only creates an unfriendly environment in a woman’s body to reduce the chances for fertilisation to happen. If a fertilised egg has already implanted itself in the uterus, the Pill will not interfere with or harm the pregnancy.
The Different Names of the Morning After Pill in Singapore
There are two different brands of the Morning After Pill available in Singapore. They work similarly by interfering with the female hormone progesterone to prevent pregnancy. However, they contain different active ingredients and differ in the way they are being used.
The Levonorgestrel Pill
Levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone that mimics the natural hormone progesterone. The Levonorgestrel Pill is the first Morning After Pill. It has been around since the 1970s as an emergency contraceptive pill.
It is marketed under the brand “Plan B” in the United States where it is also available over-the-counter. In Singapore, Levonorgestrel is marketed under the brand name “Postinor-2”.
Read our comprehensive guide on using Postinor-2 in Singapore here.
The Ulipristal Acetate Pill
Ulipristal acetate is not a hormone, but it works similarly to Levonorgestrel. The Ulipristal Acetate Pill prevents the hormone progesterone from having its normal effect on ovulation and the inside of the uterus.
In Singapore, the Ulipristal Acetate Pill is marketed under the brand name “Ella”. It is a more recent Morning After Pill in the market, approved for use since 2010.
The Difference Between Postinor-2 and Ella
Usage
In general, the Morning After Pill should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.
Postinor-2 treatment consists of TWO tablets. Both tablets should be taken as soon as possible, within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex.
On the other hand, Ella treatment consists of a single tablet. The tablet should be taken as soon as possible, within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex.
Effectiveness
Generally, the sooner you take the Morning After Pill after unprotected sex, the better they work.
Ella was found to be more effective than Postinor-2 in preventing pregnancy in the first 120 hours after unprotected intercourse in clinical studies. There is also a lower risk of pregnancy among women who took Ella (up to 1.8%) compared to those who took Postinor-2 (up to 2.6%).
Postinor-2 is also less effective in women with higher weight-BMI equal to or over 30 kg/m2 compared to Ella.
Cost
Ella is a newer agent in the market, it would cost more compared to Postinor-2.
Which Morning After Pill Should I Choose?
Ella provides a wider timeframe in which it remains effective (120 hours) compared to Postinor-2 (72 hours). This is an important factor especially in Singapore where a prescription is required to obtain these medications.
Also, clinical studies support Ella as the more effective pill compared to Postinor-2 especially in women with a higher BMI. However, the cost of Ella is higher compared to Postinor-2.
At Dame, we would recommend Ella when the risk of pregnancy is higher, if cost is not a concern. You are at a higher risk of pregnancy if you had multiple episodes of unprotected sex during your “fertile” period. The “fertile” period is when ovulation happens. It is approximately 12 days before the anticipated onset of menses. If you have irregular periods, ovulation can be hard to predict – Ella could be the more effective option for you as well.
The Side Effects of the Morning After Pill
Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of the Morning After Pill. However these symptoms are usually mild and go away in one or two days. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the emergency pill, your medication may not be as effective.
At Dame, we are on this journey with you. If this happens, contact our support team for the need for an additional dose of the medication.
What to Expect After the Morning After Pill
How Do I Know If It Worked?
After taking the Pill, you may experience some spotting or bleeding within two to three days.
You can anticipate your period within 3 weeks of taking the Morning After Pill. Your next period usually starts within a week from your expected date. However, some women may have their period later or earlier than normal.
If you do not have a period within 3 weeks of taking the pill, you should perform a pregnancy test. Also, if you experience heavy bleeding with abdominal pain or have any doubt about being pregnant, speak to your doctor at Dame.
Can I Still Get Pregnant After Taking The Morning After Pill?
If you are already pregnant before taking the Morning After Pill, it will not work. There is also a possibility that the medication failed to prevent the pregnancy. Additional unprotected sexual intercourse after using the medication can also result in a positive test.
Be reassured, as there are no known adverse effects on pregnancy. The use of this medication has not been associated with congenital anomalies when pregnancy does occur.
What if the Pregnancy Test is Positive After Taking The Pill?
If you do become pregnant after taking the Morning After Pill, it is important to inform your doctor when the Pill was last taken.
As for any pregnancy, your doctor may want to check that the pregnancy is not outside the womb. This is especially important if you have severe stomach pain or bleeding or if you previously had a pregnancy outside the womb, tubal surgery or long-term genital infection.
Will The Morning After Pill Affect My Chances of Pregnancy in the Future?
The Morning After Pill does not negatively affect your future fertility.
Important Considerations
Regular Contraception
The Morning After Pill is not a replacement for regular contraception. Couples should continue to use a reliable form of birth control to prevent unplanned pregnancies.
If you are considering using the birth control pill as a contraception method, read our comprehensive guide for couples here.
STI Protection
Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If there is a risk of STIs, it is advisable to get tested and use protection in future encounters.
Enquire with Sire and Dame if you require STI testing.
Where to Get the Morning After Pill in Singapore
Time is of the essence when it comes to obtaining the Morning After Pill as its effectiveness decreases with time.
Can I Buy the Morning After Pill Over-The-Counter in Singapore?
Unlike countries like the US and the UK, the Morning After Pill is a prescription-only medication in Singapore. This means you must have a valid prescription from a healthcare provider to purchase them.
Can I Get the Morning After Pill at Pharmacies in Singapore?
Once you have your prescription, you can visit local pharmacies like Guardian and Watsons to fill it. Always call ahead to check as not all pharmacies stock both brands of the Morning After Pill.
Can I Get the Morning After Pill for My Partner?
No. The Morning After Pill is a prescription-only medication in Singapore. This means that the doctor would need to see the person he is prescribing the medication for, in person. A valid identification is also mandatory.
Dame Can Help You Now
In Singapore, access to the Morning After Pill would require a prescription and that would mean a consultation with a doctor as well. However, not all clinics have emergency contraception and it would be wise to call ahead of time to check.
With a timeframe of 72 or 120 hours, it can be a stressful process of looking up the different clinics contact numbers and operating hours. Adding up queuing, travelling and waiting times – the pressure to get the Morning After Pill is real.
Dame is a telemedicine clinic bringing you direct-to-home women’s health treatment in Singapore. We are powered by The Cloud Clinic and licensed with Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH).
At Dame, we take the stress and pressure out of obtaining the Morning After Pill in Singapore. Both brands of the Morning After Pill are available with us. If you would like to support your partner, you can arrange an appointment for her and even accompany her for the online consultation.
- Same day consultation always available
- Delivery within 4 hours of consultation
- Discreet packaging and delivery
We require consultations to be completed before 4 pm for 4-hour discreet delivery, but we are actively working on enabling urgent morning-after pill requests after office hours.
You can contact us via our whatsapp hotline +65 8892 8269 to see if we can help you on an urgent basis.
Prices start from $64, which includes consultation and free discreet delivery.
Time is of the essence. Click here to get your same-day order.
Conclusion
In a perfect world, all couples would have planned, protected encounters every time. But life is unpredictable, and sometimes accidents happen. In Singapore, the Morning After Pill is a valuable option for couples who need a back up plan after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Remember, the key to its effectiveness is taking it as soon as possible. Obtaining the Morning After Pill in Singapore is discreet, convenient and easy with Dame.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here we answer all the burning questions couples in Singapore ask about the Morning After Pill.
Q: Do I need the morning after pill if He did not cum?
If your partner did not cum or ejaculate, the risk of pregnancy is lower. However, there is still a potential risk of pregnancy as pre-ejaculate may contain some sperm. To reduce this risk, you can consider taking the morning after pill after unprotected sex even if ejaculation did not occur. The effectiveness of the morning after pill increases with prompt use. Always consult a doctor for advice.
Q: Can I take two morning after pills at once?
It depends on the brand of the morning after pill. Treatment with Postinor-2 consists of two pills taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. Treatment with Ella consists of only a single pill taken within 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. Always follow the advice of your doctor exactly.
Q: How much is the morning after pill in Singapore?
At Dame, prices start from $64, which includes consultation and free discreet delivery.
Time is of the essence. Click here to get your same-day order.
Q: What is the cheapest morning after pill in Singapore?
Generally, Postinor-2 is cheaper than Ella in Singapore. This is because Postinor-2 is an older agent on the market. The development of generic versions of Postinor-2 has brought down its cost compared to Ella.
Q: Are there any age restrictions for purchasing the morning after pill in Singapore?
No, but the legal age to have sex in Singapore is 16 years old. Prescribing emergency contraception is at the discretion of your doctor, who would need to assess your suitability, both medically and psychologically.
Here at Dame, your safety and health is our top priority. While you are encouraged to inform your parents too, it is not mandatory for them to join in the consultation.
Q: Can I obtain the morning after pill for “standby use”?
Yes, prescribing emergency contraception is at the discretion of your doctor, who would need to assess your suitability, both medically and psychologically. The morning after pill can be prescribed for “standby use” on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Who should pay for the morning after pill?
While the morning after pill is designed for females, the financial responsibility is not inherently gender-specific. Though men may not be the ones taking the pill, they can step up to support her choices.
The decision of who should pay can be based on personal agreements, financial arrangements or mutual understanding within a relationship. Open communication and a collaborative approach within the relationship is important.
Q: How long does the morning after pill last in your system?
The morning after pill is designed to work within a short timeframe to prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. For Postinor-2, it is effective for up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse while for Ella, it is effective up to 120 hours.
After this window, the medication is broken down by your body and exits your system. It does not have any long-lasting effects or lingering presence in your body.
Q: Is there something more effective than the morning after pill?
Yes, the best way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex is to have an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted. IUDs are more effective than pills, the copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception. IUDs also work well irregardless of body weight. It could also possibly be a good choice if you would like to leave the IUD in place and use it as your ongoing method of birth control. Read more about the use of IUD in Singapore here.
Disclaimer: Articles on Dame are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your health, please consult a licensed doctor for personalised medical advice.
Speak with a Licensed Doctor Online
Our doctors are experienced in women’s health and provide confidential consultations through our secure telemedicine platform. If you have questions about symptoms, treatment options or your overall health, our team can help guide you with evidence-based medical advice.
Speak with a Licensed Doctor Online
Our doctors are experienced in women’s health and provide confidential consultations through our secure telemedicine platform. If you have questions about symptoms, treatment options or your overall health, our team can help guide you with evidence-based medical advice.
