The morning after pill has become more popular with time, although not everyone knows the details about it.
Every morning or afternoon in any part of the world, a woman is taking one of these pills. The goal of taking it is avoiding an unwanted pregnancy because some mistake put her at risk.
All of the faith of thousands of teens and adults’ rests in the hands of the morning after pill. It’s a contraception method defined by those that have used it as “savior.” It’s certain that after getting it and taking it, many women get the color back in their face. They’re tranquil again and can continue with their life as if nothing happened.
In the majority of cases, the information that women have about it is that it prevents unwanted pregnancy. Generally, this is all they know about its functions. Sometimes, they use this pill so they don’t have to be responsible with their actions during intercourse. Therefore, it’s necessary to know all of the functions of the morning after pill to make sure you use it correctly.
Keys to the Morning After Pill
- It’s an emergency contraceptive method. Thus, you should only use it in situations when some surprise accident took place. If you forgot to take your birth control or the condom broke, this is the time to use it.
- It’s not a consistent solution. This doesn’t take the place of other preventative methods, but rather should only be used for a single event. Using it regularly can cause other health problems for a woman.
- Its effectiveness decreases over time. If you take it within 24 hours of having sec, its efficiency rate is 95%. It reduces to 60% after 72 hours.
- It doesn’t prevent sexually transmitted infections (STI’s). Its only function is to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
- Take it after sex. It’s only used after having sex after realizing that there is a pregnancy risk. It’s not effective if you take it before sexual relations.
- Keep using your normal birth control. For the rest of the month after your next period, the woman should keep using her normal method of birth control. This pill doesn’t mean that you should stop using your other contraceptives.
The Morning After Pill’s Function
You’ll get a bottle with one or two pills for you to take every 12 hours. What it does is inhibit fertilization. If the woman is in the first cycle of menstruation, then it inhibits ovulation. If an egg has already been released, it acts as a barrier so that it doesn’t read the uterus and combine with sperm.
Does It Have Abortive Effects?
In the case of a previously existing pregnancy, the morning after pill will not cause an abortion. It’s flawed and incorrect that some people say it’s abortive. Similarly, if fertilization does occur after taking the pill, the fetus will not be affected. There aren’t risks of defects or other developmental defects for the baby. This is simply one of the other false conceptions circling about the morning after pill.
Side Effects of the Morning After Pill
The side effects from the morning after pill are much lighter than those from previously used emergency contraceptive methods. Just like the other ones, it can cause nausea and vomiting. If the symptoms are abundant within a few hours from taking it, you should consult a doctor immediately. You may need a new dose to ensure pregnancy prevention.
On the other hand, it’s not recommended for women with severe liver disease. It’s also not recommended that those with cardiovascular disease or a have had cancer alter their hormones with this pill. There are only a few cases where it’s not recommended to take the morning after pill as an emergency contraceptive.
The World Health Organization (WHO) authorizes and promotes this contraceptive method. You can find it in hospitals or pharmacies without a prescription or seeing a doctor. Keep in mind that the regular use of this drug can cause heart damage.
All women could need it at any point in their lives. Sexual assault victims, missing a birth control pill on accident, and not using proper protection could all lead to needing the morning after pill. Remember that after taking it, it’s important to keep taking your normal birth control.
Via: Elle | WomensHealthMag | MedicineNet | WebMD