Emergency Contraceptive Pills – It is an emergency pill that helps in preventing pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. This pill is only for the emergency purpose, don’t you use this pill after regular intercourse for preventing pregnancy. This pill is available in the market with lots of different names such as unwanted 72, i-pills, etc. To know more and everything about emergency contraceptive pills then go through this article.
Table of Contents
What is an emergency contraceptive pill?
Emergency contraceptive pill is a tablet that is available at every medical store and it helps in preventing pregnancy if you have accidentally had unprotected intercourse. This pill is also sold under different names such as unwanted 72, Prevent all, No will pill, i-pill, etc.
Types of contraceptive pill
There are two types of contraceptive pills are available which are as follows:
- Regular Contraceptive Pill
- Emergency Contraceptive Pill
Some rumours say emergency contraceptive pills are also called plan B and morning after pill. However, using this term is wrong because you don’t need to wait for the morning to be taken.
Read More: Non Hormonal Birth Control Pills – How it work, How to Use
When to take an emergency contraceptive pill?
The emergency contraceptive pill packet contains only one pill. This pill should be taken immediately after unprotected intercourse. The maximum duration of taking this pill is 72 hours. But the sooner you take it, the better.
This pill has to be taken after eating food. This pill may sometimes cause vomiting.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking this pill, you will need to take the pill again.
In such a situation, first take an anti-vomiting pill, wait for half an hour and then take this pill again.
There is no benefit in taking two pills, one pill is enough. If you need an emergency contraceptive pill after having unprotected intercourse two or three times in a cycle, we recommend that you continue with the regular contraceptive pill instead of emergency contraceptive pill.
When to take and when not to take emergency contraceptive pills?
We recommend you to take the pill under the following conditions.
- If the condom breaks, tears and slips off.
- In case of unprotected intercourse.
- If you are using a diaphragm or cervical cap and it comes out.
- If you take regular contraceptive pills and miss more than two pills in between, you will still have to take emergency contraceptive pills.
Don’t take the pill in the following cases.
- if you are pregnant
- If you suspect that you may be pregnant
- If you need a contraceptive method on a regular basis, you will need to take a regular contraceptive pill instead of an emergency contraceptive pill.
- You do not have to use this pill like a regular contraceptive pill.
- This is not an abortion pill, taking it will not cause abortion.
Failure rate of emergency contraceptive pill
If this pill is taken within 72 hours then its effectiveness is about 80 to 90%. But in case you miss your period or the next period is heavy or painful then don’t forget to consult the doctor.
How does an emergency contraceptive pill work?
This pill helps to prevent pregnancy with three processes. Let’s understand one by one.
- This pill contains a type of hormone called levonorgestrel. Every month a process occurs in our body called ovulation. In Ovulation, every month an egg is released. The hormone levonorgestrel has the power to prevent or delay the ovulation.
- This pill thickens the cervical mucus due to which the sperms get stuck in the cervical mucus and are unable to move forward.
- Also prevents fertilisation of the egg by the sperm.
But if fertilisation or implantation has already taken place or you are already pregnant, then this bill will not affect you. Therefore, if you miss your period after taking this pill or your next period is very heavy or painful, you need to consult a doctor.
Side effects of emergency contraceptive pills
Emergency contraceptive pills are generally safe for people of all ages, so they have few side effects.
- Nausea & Vomiting
- Sometime headache
- There may be breast tenderness
- Many people may experience minor bleeding a week or 10 days after taking the pill.
- One or two cycles may be irregular but you should not panic.
Conclusion
Emergency contraceptive pill means that it is a contraceptive method that you can use in an emergency. Remember this is not a regular contraceptive pill, it only works as a backup.
Some Additional Doubts
Question: Is it good to take contraceptive pills?
Answer: Taking once or twice in a menstrual cycle then it is okay.
Question: What is an Emergency contraceptive pill?
Answer: It is a method to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse.
Question: Are there any side effects of emergency contraceptive pills?
Answer: Some normal side effects are vomiting, Headache, etc
Question: What is the best time to take an emergency contraceptive pill?
Answer: Take the pill within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
Question: Can the emergency contraceptive pill help in abortion?
Answer: No, it is not useful in abortion and it is not a abortion pill.
Reference Links:-
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/276023547_Knowledge_and_Use_of_Emergency_Contraceptive_Pill_An_Analysis_of_Perception_and_Practice_among_Unmarried_Urban_Women
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/emergency-contraception
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007014.htm
https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/guidelines/nrhm-guidelines/family-planning/ecp_book_final.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1380918/pdf/amjph00505-0023.pdf