What you should know about emergency contraception

In an ideal world, everyone drinks contraceptives as planned - every day at the same time, condoms are not torn, and unwanted pregnancy does not occur in principle. We do not live in such a world, but fortunately, there are several methods to prevent conception - even if sex has occurred. Today Heroine decided to understand that emergency contraception is why it is not considered an abortion and what the consequences might be after using it.

What are the options for emergency contraception?

• tablets (ulipristal acetate, levonorgestrel and combined oral contraceptives containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel)
• copper-containing IUDs

Tablet forms can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription, and the Navy establishes only a gynecologist for five days. Subsequently, the spiral can be used as a means of contraception for five years.

How many hours after sex there is the fact that the use of contraception?

The tablets should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex, but the sooner get it done, the better. For example, if you drink a pill for three days - it will reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent, and if within 24 hours - the 95 per cent.

Who can use it?

Emergency contraception may be required for any woman or girl of reproductive age in order to avoid unwanted pregnancies. Absolute medical contraindications exist. There is also no age limit.

Is it considered an abortion?

Emergency contraception is not considered abortion, and it does not harm an existing pregnancy. Pills or IUDs prevent the eggs leave the ovaries so that they did not meet with sperm. The embryo is created, which means that termination of pregnancy does not occur. Abortion can be considered only the destruction of existing embryos.

The World Health Organization states that the use of drugs that prevent pregnancy in cases where the pregnancy has already occurred - does not harm the health of the mother and fetus.

Are there any contraindications?

It is surprising, but the most important is your weight. The effectiveness of oral agents is reduced depending on how much you weigh. In two studies conducted in 2011 and 2015, it was found that women with a BMI over 25 and women who weigh more than 80 kilograms, are more likely to become pregnant even after taking the pills. In the case of the Naval such law is not revealed.

What are the side effects?

When you receive emergency contraceptive pills may experience nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, breast tenderness. "Morning" tablet capable interrupt ovulation cycle, which may cause a delay of menstruation. In turn, this leads to increased stress and, therefore, even more harm to your cycle. If you're worried about whether the drug worked, - you can make an additional pregnancy test about two weeks after ingestion.

whether it can lead to infertility?

Even the re-use of emergency contraception does not adversely affect the chances of getting pregnant in the future. Still, doctors pay attention to the fact that the tablets are not just called emergency and can not be used as an alternative to contraception. If you do not plan a pregnancy and want to be sure of the effects, you should discuss with your gynecologist available options for protection against conception.

What form of contraception usually you are using?