Taken within 120 hours (i.e. 5 days) of intercourse, this medicine can prevent unwanted pregnancy if, for example, a condom has been broken or taken off, when a woman realizes that she has forgotten to take the pill or to replace the birth control patch. or, at worst, in the event that the relationship was imposed by violence.
The "5 days later pill" (trade name ellaOne®) has the function of interfering with the mechanisms of ovulation, in order to prevent fertilization of the oocyte.
it belongs to the category of anti-progestins, that is, those molecules that counteract the effect of progesterone, a hormone that is fundamental to create the conditions suitable for fertilization and implantation.
Ulipristal acetate acts by binding with great affinity to the progesterone receptor, to try to inhibit or delay an eventual ovulation, by suppressing the elevation of the luteinizing hormone (LH). The "5 days later pill" thus prevents the oocyte expelled from the ovaries to start its journey through the fallopian tubes and reach the uterus, from being fertilized by sperms of male origin.
