You had a beautiful night, but are now worried. Your partner’s condom slipped! You are not yet ready to start a family. Relax. Use emergency contraception. These are pills designed to prevent conception after unprotected sex. However, the pills work only for a limited period, maximum 72 hours after having sex. So, you must take them as fast as possible.
Remember, these pills are to be used only for emergency, not as regular contraception method.
The pills are no less than a boon for couples who do not wish an unplanned pregnancy. They are the best “back-up” when your regular contraception fails. The pills are also called “morning after” pills. The highest effectiveness is seen when you take them within a few hours or 24 hours of having unprotected sex.
How does emergency contraception work?
According to a reputable women gynecologist in Gaur City Noida, the pills work in different manner, depending on their formulations and after how many hours you take them. One thing is similar – these pills are meant to PREVENT a pregnancy, not abort it. So, they are useless when taken after 72 hours or when you are already pregnant.
The pills may work in any of the following manner:
- By delaying ovulation. This prevents the ovary from releasing eggs at that time.
- By preventing implantation of fertilized egg in the uterus. This happens when the egg is already released and has met the sperm. It is fertilized and ready to enter the uterus.
- By blocking fertilization completely.
Types of pills
- Single-pill dose containing levonorgestrol
One of the hugely popular pills is the one containing hormone levonorgestrol. This pill is highly effective when you take immediately after having unprotected sex. It is said to offer maximum protection, up to 90 per cent when you take it within 12 hours of having sex. In the United States, this pill is also popularly called “Plan B.”
You need to take just one pill.
These pills contain no estrogen. So, it prevents nausea and gastrointestinal upsets. Some women report of spotting and headache, but these are mild side effects. Many women report no side effect.
The levonorgestrol-containing pill has found a huge acceptance due to its almost zero side effect nature and high effectiveness.
2. Two-pill dose containing levonorgestrol
The two-pill dose packet features two pills with 0.75 mg levonorgestrol. You must take one pill as soon as possible after having unprotected sex. Take the second pill after 12 hours of taking the first one.
It is mandatory to take both the pills to prevent pregnancy. Taking just one pill won’t do. The pill is found to be effective up to 85-90 per cent when taken as per the instructions.
Please note
- Emergency contraception pills do not protect you from sexually transmitted infection.
- These are not abortion pills.
- The trick to maximum effectiveness of these pills is to take them as soon as you have unprotected sex, preferably within 24 hours.
Please consult a women gynaecologist in case of doubt or details regarding these pills. Also, in case (which is rare) you experience some intense side effect after taking the pill, immediately contact a gyne.
