What are the side effects of emergency contraceptive pill

 


An emergency contraceptive pill, or the morning-after pill, is a method of contraception used during an emergency. It prevents unintended pregnancy, and the side effects of emergency contraceptive pills are not usually severe. Women who have had unprotected sex or whose birth control method has failed can use emergency contraception to avoid getting pregnant. The morning-after pill should be used as a backup method of birth control and not as the primary method. These pills work by delaying or stopping ovulation, which will prevent fertilisation and hence there will be no pregnancy.

Levonorgestrel is an ‘over-the-counter’ pill which means that it is available without a prescription in India. Further, it’s very important for everyone to know that the emergency contraceptive pill cannot stop a pregnancy that has already happened.

Remember that mifepristone (Mifeprex), generally known as RU-486 or the abortion pill, is not the same as the morning-after pill. The abortion pill terminates a confirmed pregnancy, where the fertilised egg has attached itself to the lining of the uterus and has begun to develop.1

When to take the emergency contraceptive pill?

Emergency contraceptive pills are not the same as regular birth control pills or other forms of routine birth control. You should take it only when all other forms of birth control have failed or were ineffective. Use of emergency contraceptive pills may be appropriate in the following circumstances:

  • If you had sex without using any form of birth control.
  • Failure of the birth control method (a broken condom, forgotten birth control pill or missed dose of birth control shot).
  • If you have experienced non-consensual sex.2

The emergency contraceptive pill can cause a one-week delay in your cycle. Take a pregnancy test if your period doesn’t arrive three to four weeks after taking the emergency contraceptive pill.

How does the emergency contraceptive pill work?

The emergency contraceptive pill primarily functions by delaying ovulation. Ovulation is a natural aspect of the reproductive cycle. The release of an egg from your ovaries during this stage allows sperm to fertilise it and start the process of embryonic development. If you do not ovulate, there will be no egg to be fertilised by the sperm. Hence, you will not get pregnant.3

What are the side effects of taking the emergency contraceptive pill?

If you are planning to take the emergency contraceptive pill, you may feel glad to know that most of the side effects of these pills are temporary and go away in a couple of days. The side effects of these pills are similar to those of oral contraceptive pills. Call your doctor if the side effects of emergency contraceptive pills last for a prolonged period.4

The following are common minor side effects of both types of emergency contraceptive pills:

  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Stomach cramps
  • Sore or tender breasts
  • Decreased sexual drive 5

Later, you may also have other symptoms like:

  • Spotting — You may have some spotting within the next week. Also, your next period can be lighter or heavier than usual. It’s common, and you don’t have to worry about it. Call your doctor if you’re concerned or if the bleeding seems very heavy.
  • Irregular menstrual cycle — Due to the emergency contraceptive pill, your period may arrive a little early or late, which is normal. However, you should take a pregnancy test if you do not get your period within 3–4 weeks of taking the pill.

How effective is the emergency contraceptive pill?

If taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, emergency contraceptive pills can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 87% when taken as directed.7 The emergency contraceptive pills work for up to 3 days or 72 hours after having unprotected sex. But, the sooner you take the emergency contraceptive pill, the more likely it is to prevent pregnancy. Despite the name “morning-after pill,” you don’t need to wait until the next day to take these pills.

Are they any risks associated with emergency contraceptive pills?

While the emergency contraceptive pill is a viable option for avoiding pregnancy during unprotected sex, it is not advised for regular use because it is not as effective as other forms of contraception. Also, the emergency contraceptive pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Not everyone is advised to use emergency contraceptive pills. Avoid taking the emergency contraceptive pill if:

  • You have an allergy to one or more emergency contraceptive pill ingredients.
  • You’re taking a medicine that can make the emergency contraceptive pill less effective.

There are some indications that the emergency contraceptive pill won’t work as well to prevent pregnancy in obese or overweight people as it does for women who aren’t obese.

Additionally, before using ulipristal, make sure you are not pregnant. The effects of ulipristal on a developing baby are unknown. Ulipristal is not advisable if you are breastfeeding a baby.

What are the signs that the emergency contraceptive pill hasn’t worked?

If you take the emergency contraceptive pill right after having unprotected sex, it can be very effective. The longer you wait to use the emergency contraceptive pill, the less effective it is. A missed period is one of the primary indicators that an emergency contraceptive pill hasn’t worked. Take a pregnancy test if your period arrives more than three to four weeks later than expected.

The emergency contraceptive pill won’t interfere with your fertility or make it more difficult for you to conceive in the future.8

Consult a doctor:

In most cases, you don’t need to contact your doctor after taking the emergency contraceptive pill. However, get in contact if you experience significant lower abdomen pain three to five weeks after using the emergency contraceptive pill, bleeding, or spotting that lasts longer than a week. These could signify a miscarriage or the fertilised egg implanting outside of the uterus, typically in a fallopian tube (ectopic pregnancy).

It’s also crucial to keep in mind that taking the emergency contraceptive pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Contact your doctor if you have any doubts about the possibility of being exposed to an STI.

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