Emergency Contraception Pill
Emergency contraceptive pills are a contraceptive method to prevent pregnancy that can be used in certain situations that are considered emergencies. The emergency situation in question could be forgetting to use a condom or breaking the condom during sex, or being a victim of rape. However, this pill has a risk of side effects so it should not be used carelessly. Before taking emergency contraceptive pills, know the following things first.
How Emergency Contraception Pills Work
How emergency contraceptive pills work depends on the menstrual cycle you are going through. This pill can prevent pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation (release of an egg), interfering with the fertilization process of an egg by sperm, and preventing the successful implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine wall. It is important to remember that the emergency contraceptive pill is not a medication for abortion. If the egg has attached to the uterine wall and is ready to grow and develop, this pill cannot have an effect, because pregnancy has already occurred.
The Right Time to Use Emergency Contraception Pills
Emergency contraceptive pills can be used in several conditions, after intercourse has occurred, such as:
- Having sex without any contraception.
- Being a victim of rape and not being protected by any form of contraception, be it pills, spirals or injectable birth control.
- Worried about damage to the condom, such as tearing, falling off, or not being used correctly when used.
- Not taking birth control pills regularly.
- Late in bringing out Mr. When P is about to have intercourse, it is interrupted, so that ejaculation occurs inside Miss V.
- Miscalculating the fertile period.
There are two types of emergency contraceptive pills used to prevent pregnancy, namely pills containing levonorgestrel and pills containing ulipristal acetate. However, this pill cannot be used as the main contraceptive method, especially long term. So, if you have sex again without using any protection after taking emergency contraceptive pills, then pregnancy cannot be prevented.
Effectiveness of Emergency Contraceptive Pills to Prevent Pregnancy
Emergency contraceptive pills are considered effective in preventing pregnancy by up to 85 percent, if consumed within 3-5 days after intercourse. However, it is known that emergency contraceptive pills containing ulipristal acetate are much more effective in preventing pregnancy than those containing levonorgestrel. Emergency contraceptive pills containing levonorgestrel can be consumed by mothers who are breastfeeding. However, if a breastfeeding mother is taking ulipristal acetate pills, it is recommended not to breastfeed for one week after taking the pills. Because it cannot be used long term, after taking emergency contraceptive pills, return to your daily contraceptive routine. For example, if you usually take birth control pills, then go back to taking birth control pills regularly.
Side Effects of Emergency Contraception Pills
Until now, it is not known whether there are any long-term side effects that can arise from emergency contraceptive pills. In general, if used according to the instructions for use, this pill is safe to use. However, temporary side effects may occur, such as:
- Headache.
- Stomach ache.
- Changes in the next menstrual cycle, such as being late, or even faster.
- The next menstruation may feel more painful than usual.
- Feeling unwell.
If you feel unwell after two or three hours of taking emergency contraceptive pills, you should see a doctor or midwife if you experience the following conditions:
- The side effects experienced did not subside for several days.
- The next scheduled menstruation is more than 7 days late.
- Menstruation becomes shorter and less frequent than usual.
- Feeling the signs of pregnancy.
However, remember that this pill cannot be used as the main contraception, and should not be used too often, over a short period of time. Because, it can make the menstrual cycle irregular. Apart from that, the most dangerous side effects of using emergency contraceptive pills that often occur are miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. So, actually emergency contraceptive pills should only be used in certain conditions, which of course are emergencies.
