The
Morning after Pill*
*This is not a form of contraception
The
Morning after Pill can be taken:
- after unprotected
intercourse
- if the usual method
of contraception has failed
Treatment
consists of four pills
- two taken
immediately available
- two more taken
twelve hours after the initial dosage
Which
contain a high dosage of the synthetic hormones estrogens and/or progestogen
which stops an egg from being released and prevents implantation of a
fertilized egg in the uterus.
One
of the newer Morning after Pill, contains only one hormone, a progestogen, and
is said to be more effective and with less nausea, and side effects.
Treatment
consists of two pills
- One taken
immediately later by a second.
- One pill taken
exactly 12 hours after the first pill
The
Morning after Pill's effectiveness is lessened by:
- certain medications
(consult your doctor regarding which ones)
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
And
are less likely to work if:
- you take it over
seventy-two hours after unprotected sex
- you have unprotected
sex after taking them
- you forget to take
the second set of pills
- you vomit within two
hours of taking the tablets (extra pills, plus something to stop you
vomiting may be given)
It
prevents about:
- 95% of pregnancies
developing if it is taken within 24 hours after unprotected sex
- 85% of pregnancies
developing if taken within 24-48 hours after unprotected sex
- 5% of pregnancies
developing if taken within 48-72 hours after unprotected sex
The
Morning after Pill is designed solely for emergency use and is not a method of
contraception.
Advantages
High
effectiveness rate if used within the recommended time period
Disadvantages
Side
effects*
Women
who are advised against using birth control pills should not use the morning
after pill
If
pregnancy does occur the hormones may adversely affect the fetus
*Side
effects include:
- breast tenderness
- diarrhoea
- dizziness
- headaches
- nausea
- tiredness
- vomiting
IUD
The other form of emergency
contraception involves having an IUD fitted within five days after
unprotected sex, but the sooner an IUD is put in, the better the protection.
This method has a variable
success rate and, definitely not 100%. Only standard IUD's are suitable not
IUS's
Spermicide
Another form of emergency
contraception which may reduce the risk of pregnancy, if your method fails or
you have unprotected intercourse, is to immediately insert two
applications of spermicide into the vagina.
Please Note
This article is for information
only. Dont take any medicines/ procedures without consulting the Doctor or
Specialist – We are not responsible for the effects
==--==
