General Gynecology · Treatment
Morning-After Pill in Seoul: Options, Timing and Effectiveness
The morning-after pill is a single dose of levonorgestrel 1.5 mg, taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, or ulipristal acetate 30 mg, taken within 120 hours; both work mainly by delaying ovulation and are most effective the sooner they are taken. In Korea both require a doctor's prescription, and Somssi Women's Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul prescribes them on the same day after a short English-language consultation with Dr. Yoon Ho-joo.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yoon Ho-joo, MD, PhD, OB/GYN specialist, Somssi Women's Clinic · Last updated October 2026
At a glance
Key facts
The essentials, based on how Somssi Women's Clinic performs this procedure or answers this question. Your plan is confirmed at consultation.
- Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg: licensed up to 72 hours (3 days) after sex; reduced effect up to 120 hours
- Ulipristal acetate 30 mg: licensed up to 120 hours (5 days); more effective than levonorgestrel, especially after 72 hours
- How it works: delays or prevents ovulation; does not end an existing pregnancy
- Prescription: required in Korea; same-day prescription at the clinic
- Visit time: about 15–20 minutes, no examination usually needed
- Most effective option overall: the copper IUD, within 5 days (see our emergency contraception page)
- Follow-up: pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late
Morning-after pill at a glance
A single-dose pill that delays ovulation: levonorgestrel within 72 hours or ulipristal within 120 hours.
- morning after pill Korea
- emergency contraception Seoul
- levonorgestrel
- ulipristal acetate
- Plan B prescription Korea
- contraception for foreigners
- Within 72 hLevonorgestrel 1.5 mg
- Within 120 hUlipristal 30 mg
- Same-day prescriptionRequired in Korea
- 15–20 minVisit
- Come in quicklyThe sooner it is taken, the better it works.
- Choose the pillUlipristal works better after 72 hours.
- Take it todaySame-day prescription.
- Check laterPregnancy test if your period is 7+ days late.
Illustration: Somssi Women's Clinic, Seoul. Schematic, not to scale; your plan is set by Dr. Yoon Ho-joo after examination.
What is the morning-after pill?
"Morning-after pill" is the everyday name for emergency contraceptive pills: a single tablet taken after unprotected sex, a split or slipped condom, missed regular contraceptive pills or sexual assault, to reduce the chance of pregnancy. Despite the name, you do not have to wait until the morning after, and you do not have to take it in the morning; the sooner you take it, the better it works.
Two medicines are used. Levonorgestrel, a progestin, has been available for decades and is taken as a single 1.5 mg dose. Ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor modulator, is taken as a single 30 mg dose and keeps working for up to five days. Both act primarily by delaying or blocking ovulation so that sperm, which can survive in the reproductive tract for about five days, find no egg to fertilize.
Neither pill is an abortion pill. They do not work once a pregnancy has implanted and they do not harm an established pregnancy. For a complete overview of all methods, including the copper IUD, which is the most effective emergency option, read our emergency contraception page.
Somssi Women's Clinic is a surgical gynecology clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, founded in 2000 and led by Dr. Yoon Ho-joo, MD, PhD. Alongside its specialist surgery, the clinic provides everyday gynecology, including same-day emergency contraception, for English-speaking women in Korea.
When do you need it?
- Unprotected intercourse at any point in the cycle, including during your period
- Condom breakage, slippage or late application
- Two or more missed combined pills, or one progestin-only pill more than 3 hours (or 12 hours, depending on the pill) late, with sex in the days before or after
- A late contraceptive injection, a dislodged ring or patch, or an IUD found to be expelled
- Vomiting or diarrhea while on the pill, or a drug interaction that reduces its effect
- Sexual assault, in which case we also offer STI testing and support
You do not need to know exactly where you are in your cycle, and you do not need a pregnancy test first unless your period is already late.
Which pill, and how quickly?
Time is the single most important factor. Pregnancy risk from one act of unprotected sex is highest in the five or six days before and on the day of ovulation, and emergency pills work only if they are taken before the egg is released.
| Pill | Dose | Time window | Effectiveness | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levonorgestrel | 1.5 mg once | Up to 72 hours (some benefit to 120 hours) | Prevents roughly 6–8 of 10 expected pregnancies when taken early; effect declines each day | Widely available; may be less effective in women over about 70 kg or BMI 30+ |
| Ulipristal acetate | 30 mg once | Up to 120 hours | More effective than levonorgestrel, roughly halving the risk at 72–120 hours | Delay restarting hormonal contraception for 5 days; avoid if on progestin-containing methods |
| Copper IUD | Device | Up to 5 days after sex or ovulation | More than 99% effective | Also gives up to 10 years of contraception; see emergency contraception page |
In practice: within 72 hours either pill is reasonable, with ulipristal acetate preferred if you are close to ovulation or have a higher body weight. Between 72 and 120 hours, ulipristal acetate or a copper IUD should be used. Levonorgestrel is the first choice if you are breastfeeding or need to continue hormonal contraception immediately.
What happens at the visit
The consultation is brief and private. Dr. Yoon will ask when the unprotected sex happened, when your last period started, what contraception you normally use, whether you take any regular medicines (some epilepsy, tuberculosis and HIV medicines and St John's wort reduce the pills' effect), and whether you are breastfeeding. A pelvic examination is not usually needed.
You receive a prescription to fill at a nearby pharmacy, or you may take the dose at the clinic with water. If you would like, the same visit can include a sexually transmitted infection screen or a conversation about regular contraception such as the hormonal or copper IUD, so you are not in the same situation again.
What to bring
- Passport or ARC (Alien Registration Card) for registration
- Korean National Health Insurance card if you have one; emergency contraception is generally a non-covered item, so expect to pay the consultation and prescription fee directly
- A list of medicines and supplements you take
After taking the pill
| When | What to expect and do |
|---|---|
| First 3 hours | If you vomit within 3 hours, contact us; a repeat dose is usually needed |
| Next few days | Possible nausea, headache, breast tenderness, tiredness or spotting; these settle quickly |
| Until your next period | Use condoms; after levonorgestrel you may restart hormonal contraception at once (backup for 7 days); after ulipristal acetate wait 5 days before restarting |
| Next period | May arrive up to a week early or late and be heavier or lighter than usual |
| 3 weeks after sex | Take a pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late, is unusually light, or you have pain or unusual symptoms |
How effective is it really?
No pill is as effective as regular contraception used correctly. Studies estimate that levonorgestrel prevents roughly 60–85% of the pregnancies that would otherwise occur when taken within 72 hours, and that ulipristal acetate prevents a greater share, with the clearest advantage on days 3 to 5. Effectiveness falls with every day of delay, around the time of ovulation, with higher body weight (particularly for levonorgestrel) and if you have further unprotected sex later in the same cycle.
If avoiding pregnancy is critical for you, the copper IUD is the most reliable choice and can be fitted the same day at Somssi Women's Clinic. Results vary from person to person, and a pregnancy test three weeks after the event is the only way to be sure.
Side effects, risks and who should not take it
- Common, short-lived: nausea, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, fatigue, abdominal cramps, changes to the next period
- Vomiting within 3 hours may require a repeat dose
- Drug interactions: enzyme-inducing medicines reduce effectiveness; a copper IUD or, where appropriate, a double dose of levonorgestrel is advised
- Breastfeeding: levonorgestrel is compatible; ulipristal acetate labels advise expressing and discarding milk for about a week
- Ectopic pregnancy: the pills do not increase the risk, but if pregnancy occurs despite treatment, pain or bleeding needs prompt review
- No absolute contraindication for levonorgestrel; ulipristal acetate is avoided in severe asthma treated with oral steroids and when already pregnant
Repeated use is safe and does not affect future fertility, but it is less effective and more disruptive to your cycle than a regular method. We are happy to help you choose one.
Why international patients choose Somssi
The clinic understands that a visitor or new resident may not know how Korea's prescription-only system works, and offers same-day appointments with English consultation 100 m from Gangnam Station Exit 1. It has been registered with the Ministry of Health and Welfare as an institution for foreign patients since 2011 and has been a Seoul Medical Tourism cooperation clinic since 2016.
You will be seen privately, with no judgment, and leave with a clear plan for the coming weeks. Learn more on our international patients page, see our wider gynecological care services, or contact the clinic now; the earlier you call, the more options you have.
Private consultation
Talk it through with Dr. Yoon's team
English-speaking coordinators, a written treatment plan and a clear quote after your consultation. Same-day discharge for most procedures.
Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat 09:30–18:00 (KST). Closed Thu, Sun and holidays. 7F Sangkyung Building, 120 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Dr. Yoon Ho-joo, MD, PhD
OB/GYN specialist, Catholic University of Korea. Founder of Somssi Women's Clinic (2000). Published on female sexual function after reconstructive vaginal surgery; speaker at ESSM, ISSWSH, WAS and SMSNA.
Questions patients ask
Frequently asked questions
Short, honest answers. For anything personal, a consultation is the right place to ask.
Can I buy the morning-after pill over the counter in Korea?
No. In Korea emergency contraceptive pills are prescription-only medicines, so you need to see a doctor first and then collect the pill from a pharmacy. The consultation is short and usually requires no examination. If the clinic is closed, hospital emergency departments can also prescribe. Call us as early as you can so the pill is taken within its time window.
Which is better, levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate?
Ulipristal acetate is more effective overall and works for up to five days, with the largest advantage between 72 and 120 hours and around ovulation. Levonorgestrel is preferred if you are breastfeeding or want to restart hormonal contraception immediately. For a woman over about 70 kg, ulipristal acetate or a copper IUD is recommended because levonorgestrel may be less effective.
Does the morning-after pill cause an abortion?
No. Both pills work before fertilization by delaying ovulation. They do not dislodge an implanted embryo and have not been shown to harm a pregnancy that is already established or one that occurs despite treatment. If you are already pregnant, the pills simply will not work.
Will it affect my period or future fertility?
Your next period may come up to a week early or late and be lighter or heavier than usual; spotting in between is common. Your cycle returns to normal afterward, and the pill has no effect on future fertility. If your period is more than seven days late, take a pregnancy test.
Can I take the morning-after pill more than once in a cycle?
Yes, if needed. It is safe, though effectiveness is lower than a regular method and your cycle may become irregular. Taking levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate within five days of each other is not recommended because they can interfere with one another. Frequent need for emergency contraception is a good reason to discuss an IUD or other regular method.
Should I also get tested for STIs?
If the sex was unprotected with a new or casual partner, yes. Chlamydia and gonorrhea tests are reliable from about one to two weeks after exposure and blood tests for HIV and syphilis from a few weeks later, so we may suggest a return visit. If you were assaulted, we can offer testing, preventive treatment and support, and connect you with the appropriate services.
Keep reading
Related treatments and guides
- Emergency Birth Control — the complete overview including the copper IUD, the most effective emergency method
- IUD Insertion and Removal — long-acting contraception so you are not caught out again
- STI & STD Screening — testing after unprotected sex and when results become reliable
- Cervical Screening (Pap Smear Test) — routine screening you can arrange at the same clinic
- Gynecological Care — everyday gynecology services for English-speaking women in Seoul
- International Patients — same-day appointments and consultation in English
Sources and medical review
- World Health Organization (WHO), fact sheet on emergency contraception
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), Practice Bulletin on emergency contraception
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Selected Practice Recommendations for Contraceptive Use — emergency contraception
Next step
A consultation first. A decision only when you are ready.
Tell us what you are experiencing and what you hope to change. Dr. Yoon examines, measures and explains the options, including when no surgery is the right answer. International patients can start with an online consultation before travelling to Seoul.
