The Morning After Pill | Benefits, Side Effects And Contraindications.

When you forget to take the pill or if the condom fails, a woman is at risk of becoming pregnant, especially if she is ovulating. If she feels the risk is too great, her gynecologist will recommend the morning-after pill.

Unwanted Pregnancy

What’s The Morning After Pill?

A morning-after pill is a medicine with a high dose of progesterone that works differently depending on when it is taken. 

The morning-after pill works by delaying the increase in the hormone that starts ovulation, the release of an egg. The morning-after pill therefore needs to be taken before the hormone surge occurs; its effectiveness decreases the closer it’s given to ovulation and it is not effective if given after fertilization has occurred.

The morning-after pill is available over the counter in most pharmacies and its most common forms are Levonorgestrel, sold as Plan B.

The morning after pill do not protect against sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy from the previous intercourse session. This means that contraceptive methods should be used.

When To Take The Morning-After Pill?

The earlier it is taken, the more effective the morning after pill will be. This pill is called “emergency contraception”, which means that it cannot under any circumstances be used as a conventional method of contraception.

Taking The Plan B Pill.

Benefits Of The Morning After Pill.

Extremely simple to use: When taken as soon as possible,  The pill considerably reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancies. If the pill is taken within 12 hours it will be 95% reliable. Within 24 hours or more, it will be 58% reliable. After taking the morning-after pill, you will need to visit your gynecologist to prescribe contraception that suits your lifestyle.

Unwanted Side Effects.

The morning-after pill is super safe, and Plan B side effects aren’t super common. There have been no reports of serious problems out of the millions of people who’ve taken it but it may cause some side effects. In particular, you may bleed in the week after taking this emergency contraception. You may also suffer from vomiting, nausea, stomach aches, fatigue, dizziness or even headaches. If you feel bad, see your doctor.

After you take the morning-after pill, it’s totally normal for your next period to be different from what you’re used to. It may come earlier or later, and be heavier, lighter, or more spotty. Or it may be the same as it normally is. It may not cause any noticeable changes at all for most people.

Unwanted Side Effects

Contraindications

In theory, emergency contraception presents no contraindication however if you have a history of blood clots or liver disease, or are taking specific drugs, the morning after pill may not be safe for you… You will need to be more vigilant and watch for the appearance of periods or symptoms (abnormal bleeding, abdominal pain, etc.)

If your period is more than 1 week late or you haven’t had your period 3 weeks after taking the morning after pill, you could be pregnant. Talk to your doctor and take a pregnancy test.

Dr James S Pendergraft | Orlando Women’s Center | Abortion Pill Clinic | Articles On Abortion