Millions of women around the world rely on birth control to keep them protected from unwanted pregnancy. Despite widespread accessibility and education, life does happen, and sometimes women must rely on an emergency contraceptive to ensure that they will not get pregnant after unprotected sex. The fear remains however, that the medication might not do its job as intended.

According to an article from SELF, whether or not emergency contraception is effective for women who have a slightly higher body mass index has been under speculation for years. In a study referenced from 2011, women with a BMI over 25 were found more likely to get pregnant after ingesting an EC pill. Though the study only took around 3,400 women into consideration, it sparked questions about the effectiveness of such medication, especially considering that the average adult BMI is 26.5, according to Livestrong.

Ella, which acts as an anti-progestin, unlike other emergency contraceptive pills on the market, shows no statistical evidence that weight is a crucial factor in its effectiveness, according to the SELF article. However, it’s still a factor to be considered. “Weight should be a consideration for everyone purchasing emergency contraception,” according to Dr. Rebecca Stone from the University of Georgia. “It’s one of several factors that doctors and pharmacists take into account when walking patients through their options.” Despite these worries, Stone recommends to SELF Mag that women should still take their emergency contraceptive if needed, since there’s no statistically significant reason not to.

There are still ongoing studies to determine what other factors may contribute to the effectiveness of emergency contraceptives or other birth control medications. If you’re worried that your medication will not work for you, consult your physician to learn more about your options.

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