What is Ella? (emergency contraceptive)

Ella is an emergency contraceptive pill designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure (like a broken condom). Its active ingredient, ulipristal acetate, works by delaying or preventing ovulation, which stops sperm from meeting an egg. Unlike some other emergency contraceptives, ella remains effective for up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex, with consistent effectiveness across that time frame.

Ella requires a prescription in the U.S., but it’s known for being particularly effective, even if it’s taken several days after the incident, or during times when the body might be closer to ovulation.