The morning-after pill, also known as the morning-after pill, is a birth control medication used after unprotected sexual intercourse. Morning-after pills are a frequently used birth control method in recent years, and the main purpose of the drug is to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Morning-after pills contain high levels of progesterone hormone and prevent the male sperm cell from fertilizing the woman’s eggs and attaching to the uterus. This method, also known as the “tomorrow pill” among the public, is used the earlier it is used, the higher its effect and protection rate can be. However, it should not be forgotten that the morning after pill is not a routine contraceptive method and, like all other contraceptive methods, does not provide 100% protection.
What is the Morning After Pill?
Morning-after pills are used as emergency contraception (birth control method) to prevent pregnancy in women who have unprotected sexual intercourse or whose birth control method has failed. Although it is the most preferred option among contraceptive methods, continuous use of this method is not recommended by gynecologists. Morning-after pills cannot be considered a birth control method in themselves. These medications can only be used as an alternative method of contraception. Morning-after pills are medications available from pharmacies without a prescription and have several different trade presentations on the market. These options may be estrogen-progesterone, estrogen-only or progesterone-only drug forms. Among these drugs, ulipristal acetate is an active ingredient that can be used up to the 5th day (120 hours) after emergency intercourse. Another one is a drug with the active ingredient levonorgestrel and its effect lasts until the 3rd day (72 hours). Contraception is an inexpensive and sufficiently effective method to prevent unwanted pregnancies and can prevent physical and mental disorders that may occur in women due to unwanted pregnancies.
What Does the Morning After Pill Do?
It is a medicine used by women who do not want to have a baby the next day for various reasons, after questionable sexual intercourse. Those who use the morning after pill should know that this method is for single use and does not provide protection for sexual intercourse in the following days. One of the most important things to know about morning after pills is that these medications cannot terminate an existing pregnancy. This is a very wrong information known among the public. These drugs are never used as an abortion medicine, and even if used with this in mind, miscarriage will not occur. While the current pregnancy will not end with morning-after pills, the possibility of serious harm to the baby should be kept in mind. Women who use contraceptive pills should know that this method is definitely not a family planning method. To get information about birth control methods, it is necessary to consult family counseling centers or a gynecologist.
How Do Morning After Pills Work?
The protective effect of morning after pills may vary depending on whether they are used early or not. It is important that this period does not exceed 3 days. Delayed use of morning after pills may reduce their effectiveness. When used before ovulation, the protection rate of the morning-after pill is around 75-80%. The protective effect of morning after pills is to prevent the fertilized egg from settling in the uterus. These pills have no other effect other than preventing unwanted pregnancy. Some of the other effects of morning after pills are as follows:
- be safe
- Safe across a wide age range
- Short usage time
- Being economical
- Being quickly accessible
- Prevents unnecessary abortions
When to Use the Morning After Pill?
The general time to use morning after pills is the day after unprotected sexual intercourse. These pills can be used not only to prevent unwanted pregnancies after unprotected intercourse, but also when necessary. In general, the use of the morning after pill can be used in the following cases:
1- Not using or forgetting to use regularly used birth control pills.
2- The thought that the birth control methods used will be insufficient.
3- Not being sure about the male type of contraception during sexual intercourse.
4- Breaking the condom during intercourse, 5- Being subjected to sexual assault.
How to Use the Morning After Pill?
There is an important relationship in terms of the protective effect of using the morning-after pill early after unprotected intercourse. All unprotected methods should be taken within 72 hours of intercourse. Scientific studies report that the success rate of tomorrow pills used within 72 hours of intercourse is 75% on average, while the failure rate is 4%. The success rate or failure rate of the morning-after pill may increase or decrease depending on whether it is used on time, whether there is vomiting after taking it, and whether or not there is unprotected intercourse after use.
What are the Side Effects of the Morning After Pill?
The morning after pill is used as an emergency contraceptive method and to prevent pregnancy. However, this method may not be as safe as other protection methods and may bring some risks. This method, also known as the tomorrow pill, does not replace routine contraceptive medications. Apart from these, the harms of the morning after pill and some of its side effects are as follows:
- Nausea and vomiting,
- dizziness,
- Headache,
- Abdominal pain or cramps,
- Tenderness in breasts,
- Irregularity in menstrual cycle
- Intensity or decrease in menstrual bleeding
In addition, if you experience vomiting within 2 hours of taking the morning-after pill, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist for a new dose of pill.
In which cases should the morning-after pill not be used?
The use of the morning after pill is not suitable for everyone. Before using this medicine, it is necessary to make sure whether there is pregnancy. Data on what side effects morning-after pills have on the fetus are not reliable. There may be some cases where the effectiveness of the morning after pill decreases. Some of these conditions are medically known as St. It is the use of St. John’s wort-containing drugs known as St. John’s Wort and heavy sleep and depression drugs found as Barbiturates. The use of drugs containing this content may reduce the protection rate of the morning after pill. Apart from these, the use of the morning after pill is not recommended for women who are overweight or obese and during breastfeeding. It should also be taken into consideration that morning after pills do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
What are the Risks After Using the Morning After Pill?
Morning after pills may have some risks that may occur due to misuse or overdose, or that may occur even if used correctly. If one or more of these undesirable effects occur, a gynecologist should be consulted. Possible risks after using morning after pills are as follows:
- 2 consecutive periods occurring in a different situation than usual,
- Very little bleeding,
- Very severe dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain),
- No menstruation in 4 weeks
- Having increased vaginal discharge
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Days Is The Morning After Pill Effective?
Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to take the morning-after pill the day after intercourse. Although the protection rate increases when taken within the first 24 hours, there are preparations that can be used within 3 days or a maximum of 5 days.
How Effective Is the Morning After Pill?
When morning-after pills are used within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, the protection rate is known to be 75% (55-88%). To get more information about the use and effectiveness of the morning-after pill and to learn about routine birth control methods and family planning, you can visit a health institution and meet with your doctor at the most convenient time for you.
