Restart Emergency ContraceptiveUpdated 3 months ago
What is Restart and how does it work?
Restart™ is an emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the morning-after pill) that can reduce your chances of getting pregnant after unprotected sex (or if your birth control fails).
If taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex, Restart™ can reduce your risk of pregnancy by nearly 90% — giving you greater control of your body and your future.
Restart™ is formulated with levonorgestrel, an ingredient commonly found in hormonal birth control. This hormone works to delay the release of an egg from your ovary (known as ovulation) so that it can’t be fertilized by sperm after unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel may also prevent the attachment of a fertilized egg to the walls of the uterus (also known as implantation). By adjusting your ovulation timing, you can prevent pregnancy before it happens.
Using Restart™ doesn’t impact an existing pregnancy and it doesn’t negatively affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. Restart™ is a safe and easy way to prevent pregnancy without needing a prescription or having to go to the pharmacy.
Does Restart protect me from STIs?
Restart™ does not protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
If you are sexually active, you should see a healthcare provider for routine checkups.
Your healthcare provider will talk to you about and, if necessary, test you for sexually transmitted diseases, teach you about effective methods of routine birth control, and answer any other questions you may have.
It's totally normal to have some questions afterwards! Here's some things to keep in mind:
What do I do after taking Restart?
After taking Restart™ you can continue on with your regular birth control method if you have one (for example, continue taking birth control pills).
You will know Restart™ has been effective when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is delayed beyond 1 week, it is possible you may be pregnant. You should get a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare professional.
It is not advised that Restart™ be used as a regular birth control method. Consult with your doctor about a birth control method that makes sense for you.
Please know that taking a dose of Restart™ will only protect you from one instance of unprotected sex, it will not prevent unprotected sex over the coming days or weeks. If you have unprotected sex in the future and want to prevent pregnancy, be sure to take a new dose of Restart™ and talk to your doctor about the best birth control options for you.
Your menstrual bleeding patterns may change temporarily after using levonorgestrel. If you find that your period is more than a week late, take a pregnancy test to confirm whether the contraceptive has worked. You can read more here.
Does Restart have any side effects?
When used as directed, Restart™ is safe and effective. Side effects may include:
Changes in your period
Some women may have changes in their period, such as a period that is heavier (or lighter) and/or a period that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant.
Nausea
Lower stomach (abdominal) pain
Tiredness
Headache
Dizziness
Breast tenderness
Keep in mind:
If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and you should get immediate medical attention.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the medication, call a healthcare professional to find out if you should repeat the dose.
It’s important to note that using Restart™ doesn’t impact an existing pregnancy nor does it negatively affect your ability to get pregnant in the future. Restart™ is a safe and easy way to prevent pregnancy without needing a prescription or having to go to the pharmacy.
It is also not advised that Restart™ be used as a regular birth control method. Consult your doctor about a birth control method that makes sense for you.
When should I take Restart?
The sooner you take emergency contraception, the better it works. You should use Restart™ within 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected sex.
Restart™ is a backup or emergency method of birth control you can
use when:
Your regular birth control was used incorrectly or failed
You did not use any birth control method
Restart™ should not be used:
As a regular birth control method, because it’s not as effective as regular birth control.
If you are already pregnant because it will not work.
If you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any other ingredients in Restart™
When should I talk to my Doctor or Pharmacist about Restart?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before you use Restart™ if you are taking the following:
Efavirenz (HIV medication)
Rifampin (tuberculosis treatment)
Medication for seizures (epilepsy)
These medications may reduce the effectiveness of Restart™ and increase your chances of becoming pregnant. Your doctor may prescribe another form of emergency contraception that may not be affected by these medications.
Is there a weight limit for Restart?
There are many questions about the safety and efficacy of levonorgestrel morning-after pills as it relates to weight. Here’s what we know:
The FDA states that there are no concerns that would prevent someone with a uterus from using levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives safely — regardless of how much they weigh. However, safety and efficacy are not the same things.
The most important factor affecting how well emergency contraception works (aka how effective it is) is how quickly it’s taken. When emergency contraception is taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or birth control failure, it can significantly decrease your chances of pregnancy. The sooner you take it, the more effective it is at preventing pregnancy.
The FDA conducted an independent review of the available scientific data and studies related to the effectiveness of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives and weight. In their review, the FDA determined that these data are conflicting and too limited to make a definitive conclusion on how weight can affect how effective levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives are.
Winx Health has also reviewed studies related to weight and the effectiveness of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives, and there are some studies that suggest efficacy may decrease as body weight and BMI increase.
However, the morning-after pill with the active ingredient levonorgestrel (including Restart™) is the only FDA-approved emergency contraceptive that’s available without a prescription. To make emergency contraception as accessible as possible during this critical time, this is the product that Winx Health is able to offer at this time.
While everyone — at any weight — should be able to use the morning-after pill and trust that it will work effectively, we know that this is not the reality. As a team, we’re committed to advocating for accessible emergency contraception for all and will work to offer better options to our customers as they become available.
We urge the FDA to approve a higher dose of emergency contraception that is effective for all bodies, regardless of size.
Any questions? We're here for you: [email protected]