Emergency Pill

Healthpind Staff

Quick Facts

Single-use
Not a regular method of contraception
Widely available

Efectiveness

The efficacy reduces drastically depending on the duration between sex and taking the pill. For optimum effectiveness, you must take an emergency pill within 12 – 24 hours after sex. Efficacy declines over time after unprotected sex as follows:

95% effective within the first 24 hours
85% if had within 25- 48 hours
58% if had within 49-72 hours

Abstinence 100%

Key Benefits

Highly effective when used as directed
Emergency Prevention
Widely available at pharmacies

What is an emergency pill?

Emergency contraceptives, as the name suggests, prevent pregnancy after unplanned unprotected sex. They are also known as the morning-after pill. The morning-after pill offers you a chance to avoid pregnancy. It contains hormones similar to oral contraceptives but in high doses.

It works in various ways. Mainly it prevents or delays the ovary from releasing an egg. There may also be a change in the uterus lining, preventing the implantation of a fertilized egg. Two types of emergency pills are available—one containing levonorgestrel (LNG) and the other pill containing ulipristal acetate (UPA).

How to use it correctly?

These pills are available in 1-pill or 2-pill packs. Follow the instructions on the package. You may have emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex but should take it as soon as possible. Remember that they are not a regular method of contraception.

Pros

It helps you to prevent pregnancy as an emergency method.
Alleviates the worry related to an unplanned pregnancy.

Cons

It contains a high dose of hormones
Using it repeatedly can affect the natural menstrual cycle
It may cause vomiting, headache, nausea, stomachache, menstrual pain, weakness, tiredness, dizziness
It does not guard you against HIV infection (AIDS) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Emergency contraception may cause spotting like those of birth control pills.
Some pills, such as ulipristal, may cause trouble with the pregnancy if you are already pregnant.

Essential Tips

You must take the emergency pill as soon as possible for it to work effectively.
Consult your doctor if you have severe side effects
Emergency contraception pills do not protect you for the rest of your cycle.
If you are overweight, these pills may not work for you.
These pills do not work if you are already pregnant.

Recommended to use if

You had unprotected sex without using any contraception.
Your contraception method failed due to any reason. You forgot to take your tablet, the condom broke or slipped away, your diaphragm slipped, etc.
If you used the withdrawal method, your partner didn’t pull out in time.
Your partner forced you to have unprotected vaginal sex

Not Recommended if

Use emergency contraceptive pills only in an emergency, not regularly. The high dose of hormones may expose you to side effects and disturb your regular periods with repeated administration.

In Short

As the name suggests, emergency contraception pills should be used only in emergencies if used regularly; the high hormones may cause unwanted side effects.

Reference