What to do if the condom broke or you just forgot about it.
What is emergency contraception
Most contraception methods are used before sex. But sometimes it happens that there was sex, but no protection was used. This can be a common life situation when it was "not the time," the condom broke, or you forgot to take the birth control pill. Finally, we cannot forget about rapes.
In all these cases, emergency contraception helps to avoid pregnancy—methods that work after sex, not before.
Most often, medications are used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse. Emergency contraception pills are hormonal medications based on levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetateEmergency contraception. WHO information bulletin. These are not the only options but the most popular and effective. If the pills are taken in the first 72 hours after sexual intercourse, the chance of getting pregnant isHow Does Emergency Contraception Work? only 1–2%.
How emergency contraception works
Emergency contraception works in several waysPlan B One-Step:
- Suppresses ovulation. If ovulation does not occur, then there is no mature egg that can be fertilized.
- Prevents fertilization.
- Prevents implantation of the fertilized egg into the uterus.
In any of these cases, pregnancy does not occur.
But if you are already pregnant, the doses of hormones that emergency contraception offers will not workEmergency Contraception.
When to take the pills
Any emergency contraception drug should be used as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse. Ideally—within the first 72 hours: on the fourth or fifth day, the effectiveness of the pills will be low.
How to properly take the pills
Strictly according to instructions, because there are many drugs, and each has its own characteristics. If there is an opportunity to consult with a doctor before use, it is better to do so: the doctor will recommend pills that have minimal side effects.
But this is not always possible. And, in principle, there are no special contraindications for taking the pillsEmergency contraception. Standard exceptions:
- If the woman cannot for some reason take hormonal contraceptives.
- If there is an allergy to the components of the medication.
- If pregnancy is already presentPlan B One-Step.
No special examinations or tests need to be done before emergency contraception.
What will happen after taking the pill
If you take the pills after unprotected sexual intercourse, you may experience side effects.
These primarily include slight bleeding and changes in the cycle: the next menstruations may be heavier or, conversely, lighter.
Other side effects:
- Pain in the lower abdomen.
- Tightness in the chest.
- Headache.
- Nausea.
- Fatigue.
These symptoms should pass in a couple of days; otherwise, you should consult a doctor.
Is emergency contraception an abortion?
An abortion is the removal of a fertilized egg that has already attached to the uterine wall. During the time that emergency contraception works, this does not happen. Moreover, during this period, it is even impossible to predict or check if fertilization has occurred.
So no, emergency contraception is not an abortion.
However, religious organizations may have a different opinion. In some religions, any contraception is considered abortion.
What to do after emergency contraception
Everything depends on the situation. Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, if there is a suspicion that you might have contracted one, you need to see a doctor and undergo all necessary tests.
Remember that this should be done a week or two after unprotected sexual intercourse, and testing for HIV infection must be repeated after two months.
How often can this method be used
Emergency contraception is not the best method of prevention on a regular basis. Even if a woman does not lead a regular sex life, protection methods can always be selected that will take needs into account and not increase the risks of side effects.
And frequent use of emergency contraception is particularly dangerous: it increases the risk of disrupting the menstrual cycleEmergency Contraception. But this does not mean that the pill cannot be taken more than once in a lifetime.
Emergency contraception is not just pills
To quickly prevent unwanted pregnancy, not only hormonal pills are used, as is commonly thought, but also intrauterine contraceptives.
The installation of a regular intrauterine device within seven days after unprotected sexual intercourse prevents pregnancy by almost 99%. In addition, this method automatically transitions into long-term contraception.
The doctor only installs the device.
IUDs have their own pros and cons that should be discussed with the treating physician. But even if you decided on such a method, remember that an STI test will still have to be done.
