Emergency Contraceptive Pills: How They Work and What to Expect

Emergency contraceptive pills are also known as the "morning after pill". They are taken immediately after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. This is the only type of contraceptive pill that is taken to prevent pregnancy after having sex. These pills have to be taken within 3 or 5 days after unprotected sex. It is believed that the sooner you take them, the more effective the pill will be.

The other two types of pills (combined contraceptive pill and mini contraceptive pill) have to be taken regularly. In fact, unlike the other two types of pills, emergency contraceptive pills are not recommended to be taken frequently as they contain very strong hormones.

There are two types of emergency contraceptive pills available in the market -

Levonorgestrel
It has to be taken within three days after sex. Its popular brands are i-Pill and Unwanted 72.

Ulipristal Acetate
This pill has to be taken within five days of sex. Doctors in India do not recommend using it as a contraceptive method. It is used to treat fibroids.

Beneficial for women's health, controlling hormones like estrogen and progesterone, maintaining the health of the uterus, removing toxins from the body and reducing inflammation, definitely consume ashokarishta manufactured by myUpchar Ayurveda.

How To Use Emergency Contraceptive Pills?
An emergency contraceptive pill contains the progestin levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic hormone. They work by either preventing or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary or by preventing the fertilization process (fertilization of an egg from a woman's ovary with a man's sperm) or by changing the structure of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from being placed in the woman's uterus.

(Read more - How To Take Care During Pregnancy)

Doctors say that this pill should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. These pills are usually taken orally with water and are often taken after meals to avoid vomiting. If vomiting occurs within 2-3 hours of taking this pill, another pill is recommended. This pill does not cause abortion, so taking it after getting pregnant does not affect the pregnancy.

These pills can also be taken by breastfeeding mothers. These pills do not affect the quality or quantity of breast milk and do not have any adverse effect on the development of the baby.

(Read more - Every Mother Should Know : Pregnancy Problems)

Emergency contraceptive pills are not an alternative to traditional contraceptive pills. This is because emergency contraceptive pills contain a very high dose of synthetic hormones, which can cause a number of complications if used continuously. In contrast, regular contraceptive pills contain low doses of hormones that help prevent conception and alter the ovulation cycle.

According to gynecologists, when it comes to contraception, you should take this pill only when you have no other option as regular intake of these pills causes hormonal imbalance. These are best suited for women in the age group of 25-45. These are not suitable for teenagers as it can disrupt the development of the reproductive system. Young girls, whose hormone levels have not yet stabilized, are at a higher risk of developing conditions such as polycystic ovary disease, endometriosis and ectopic pregnancy. These pills can lead to problems like hormonal imbalance, infertility due to irregular periods, unbalanced weight, loss of libido, skin allergies.

(Read more -Oral Sex And HIV)

After taking the pill, a person may experience some common side effects such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, changes in menstrual cycle and dizziness. These symptoms generally do not last for more than a few days of treatment and they usually resolve within 24 hours. These pills do not protect a woman from sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, herpes, etc.

If your body mass index (BMI) is more than 25, then these pills are less effective. If your body mass index (BMI) is more than 30, then it will not work at all. Emergency contraceptives contain levonorgestrel which a woman may be allergic to so this pill should not be taken without consulting a doctor. Also, if someone is suffering from any disease and is taking some medication for it, then consult a doctor before taking this pill.

(Read more - How to have sex?)

If you take the morning after pill, it is important for you to have regular check-ups with a gynecologist to eliminate the possibility of further complications, especially if you suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, tubal pregnancy or if you start feeling these symptoms after taking it - stomach pain, dizziness, headache, breast tenderness, extreme pain in legs and hands etc. Also keep in mind that it can cause your period to start either too early or too late, although most women start their period within 7 days of the regular date. But if you do not get your period within 21 days or you think you may be pregnant, then get a pregnancy test done.

 (Read more - Daily sex benefits)

Finally, the pill is only effective if taken after unprotected sex. It will not work if you have sex after taking the pill. For this, you will need to take birth control pills. Also, emergency contraceptives like the i-pill can be purchased from a local chemist shop without the need for a prescription. So make sure to use these only in case of emergencies and not as a regular contraceptive!

 (Read more - What is sex: Benefits and side effects)

In conclusion, birth control is a highly effective and simple method of birth control that provides other health benefits such as regular menstruation, reduced risk of certain cancers, skin condition go away ahead while generally safe for most women The medication It is important to continue taking it and consulting with healthcare professionals to overcome any pre-existing conditions or possible interactions with other medications handle. Overall, oral contraceptives provide a reliable alternative to contraception and can contribute to overall reproductive health when used appropriately.