Emergency Contraception Pill (afterpill) Shinjuku Clinic

An afterpill, also known as an emergency contraceptive pill or morning-after pill, is a medication taken after unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. By taking it as soon as possible after intercourse, it works by delaying or suppressing ovulation, significantly reducing the chance of pregnancy. Emergency contraception is used as a last resort when regular contraceptive methods have failed, and is prescribed by a doctor.

In Japan, two main types of afterpill are prescribed: Levonorgestrel (Norlevo and generics, effective within 72 hours of intercourse) and Ulipristal Acetate (EllaOne, effective within 120 hours of intercourse). Both work by suppressing ovulation to prevent pregnancy, but EllaOne offers a longer window for emergency contraception.

When taken within 24 hours of intercourse, Levonorgestrel afterpills prevent approximately 95% of pregnancies. Even within 72 hours, the effectiveness remains around 85%. Ulipristal Acetate (EllaOne) has been reported to reduce the pregnancy rate to approximately 1.5% when taken within 5 days. In all cases, the sooner you take the emergency contraceptive pill, the more effective it is.

Levonorgestrel afterpills are effective within 72 hours of intercourse, while Ulipristal Acetate (EllaOne) remains effective for up to 120 hours. Even after 72 hours, taking the pill is still better than not taking it at all. However, after 5 days, the effectiveness of emergency contraception drops significantly, so it is crucial to take the afterpill as soon as possible.

Common side effects of emergency contraceptive pills include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, and breast tenderness. Most symptoms are mild and resolve within 24 hours. Vomiting occurs in less than 1% of cases, and minor spotting may also happen. If symptoms are severe, please consult a doctor.

A single dose of emergency contraception is considered very safe, with virtually no serious health risks. No adverse effects on future fertility or fetal development have been reported. However, because afterpills contain a concentrated dose of hormones, they should be reserved for emergency use and not used as a routine form of contraception.

The standard way to obtain an afterpill in Japan is through a prescription from a gynecology or obstetrics clinic. In recent years, online telemedicine has made it possible to receive a prescription remotely and have the emergency contraceptive pill delivered to your home. While pilot programs for over-the-counter sales at pharmacies are underway, these are currently limited to individuals aged 18 and over. Visiting a medical clinic remains the most reliable option for getting an afterpill.

There is no age restriction for obtaining an afterpill. Minors can receive a prescription through a doctor's consultation with their own consent. Parental consent is not legally required, although some clinics may ask for parental accompaniment or agreement. If you prefer privacy, consider visiting a minor-friendly afterpill clinic or using online telemedicine for your emergency contraception.

If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the emergency contraceptive pill, the medication may not have been fully absorbed, and you may need to take an additional dose. Contact your prescribing doctor immediately for guidance. If vomiting occurs more than 2 hours after taking the afterpill, the medication is likely already absorbed, and an additional dose is usually not needed. However, consulting a doctor will give you peace of mind.

After taking an afterpill, your menstrual cycle may temporarily shift – your period may come earlier or later than expected, with the majority of women experiencing a difference of a few days. Withdrawal bleeding (light spotting) may occur within about 2 weeks, but your regular period should return within 1 week after that. If your period is delayed by more than 3 weeks after taking emergency contraception, please take a pregnancy test.

While the pregnancy prevention rate of emergency contraception is high, it is not 100%. A small percentage of pregnancies may still occur. If your period does not come within 3 weeks of taking the afterpill, or if your bleeding is unusually light, please use a pregnancy test to check. If the result is positive, visit a medical facility promptly for consultation.

While it is possible to take emergency contraceptive pills more than once in a month if necessary, doing so places a significant hormonal burden on the body and may disrupt your menstrual cycle. The afterpill is intended as an emergency measure only. For routine protection, it is recommended to use reliable daily contraception methods such as low-dose birth control pills or condoms, rather than relying on emergency contraception repeatedly.

Our clinic operates on a self-pay basis, so no PassPort is required to receive your afterpill. This means there is no risk of your employer or family finding out about your visit for emergency contraception.

No appointment is necessary. Simply register on our Official LINE, complete the pre-visit questionnaire and payment, and then visit the clinic to receive your emergency contraceptive pill.

We offer two types of emergency contraception: a 72-hour (3-day) afterpill and a 120-hour (5-day) afterpill. The effectiveness of emergency contraceptive pills decreases over time, so we strongly recommend taking your afterpill as early as possible.

Absolutely. Our clinic welcomes minors seeking afterpill prescriptions. Since we operate on a self-pay basis, no student ID or PassPort is required. Your family and employer will not be notified of your visit for emergency contraception.