How to Use Morning-After Pills
Morning-after pills, also known as emergency contraception, serve as a vital modality of intervention for individuals who may wish to prevent conception following unprotected sexual intervention or failure of regular contraception. Hence, they provide a secondary opportunity of preventing a probable pregnancy where primary contraception fails or no contraception is at their disposal. Everything you want to know about how to use Morning-after pills is contained herein, and it is aptly divided into sections for a better understanding.
Also, at the closure of this reading, you may access the “bonus” where a section, “ videos “, presents more information from a different point of view, and also for the people who do not intend to read it.
This is all informed by the necessity to acquire an intricate understanding of the ways of use, the modes of action, the associated risks, and the prevalence of these pills, which in a composite manner aid in informed choice. Before you embark on how to use morning-after pills, browse through to come up to date with the problem, probably you probably were using it incorrectly.
♦ Section 1. Understanding Morning-After Pills:
A- Definition and Mechanism of Action:
Morning-after pills refer to a type of emergency contraception designed to avoid pregnancy after having unprotected sex. On the whole, pills of this type function in the course of preventing or delaying ovulation and not the fertilization of the egg. In this way, an egg is not expelled from the ovary thus achieving the expected outcome for the respective morning-after pill. Furthermore, it is pertinent to note, that these pills could also be altering the state of the cervical mucus making it difficult to reach the fertilization point or hindering the process of fertilization itself. For that matter, one should get the information behind using morning-after pills.
B- Types of Morning-After Pills Available:
There are several types of morning-after pills available categorized into hormonal and non-hormonal options. The most common type of hormonal morning-after pills contain levonorgestrel, an artificial hormone used as a progestin. The pill can be intended as a single pill with a dosage of 1.5 milligrams or a two-dose regimen with a 0.75 milligrams for each dose. These options including the different measures of Morning-After pill simply operates under the same issue of Every day Happy. The ulipristal acetate pill is another hormonal pill used up to five days after having unprotected sex.
Additionally, a copper intrauterine device can also be used to meet the ends of emergency contraception after having unprotected sex. The device may be used within two weeks of having unprotected sex since the sperm may be viable up to five days of insertion of the copper into the uterus. The procedure creates a hostile condition which damages the functionary condition of the sperm and preventing implantation of the fertilized egg.
C- Availability and Accessibility:
Different countries and states have legalized the sale of morning-after pills as over the counter drugs and as prescription drugs. The results of making morning-after pills over the counter drugs mean that it will be more accessible to the people who need them. It makes it easier to purchase the drugs than it does with collecting another type of prescribed drug. However, prescriptions might be necessary in some instances, perhaps in different age groups and product formulations.
Understanding the mechanisms, types, and accessibility makes the basis for understanding how to use morning-after pills and make the best choices. Thus, do not ignore any information in this article because it is critical for the setting of objectives. The next sections of the article provide deeper insights into how to use the pills effectively, their levels of effectiveness, and potential harm.
♦ Section 2. How to Use Morning-After Pills:
Generally, morning-after pills should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. Ensure that there is minimal delay because effectiveness is reduced over time. Therefore, take the pill as fast as you can! I have outlined the proper ways here :
The following are the breakdowns with which the morning-after pills can be effectively used:
A- Timelines for Taking the Pill After Unprotected Intercourse:
- Most morning-after pills will be effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) of having had unprotected intercourse. Some formulations such as the copper IUD is known to be effective as long as it is used within five days after the intercourse.
- It should also be stated here that the sooner the pill is used, the more its probability of effectiveness in preventing pregnancy.
B- Dosage Instructions for Different Brands/Types:
- You should follow the instructions of dosage included in particular brands or types of morning-after pills that you have come across. You will also need to take time to study the box and leaflet of the pill which you are taking.
- Some of the pills are available for a single-dose method as you will swallow one pill only. The specific pill that you have come across with will always indicate that you need to have two doses which you will swallow at the same time. Alternatively, you may need to swallow the second pill after every 12 hours.
- However, if there are some facts that you do not understand about the dosage, you should always consult your doctor or your pharmacist to tell you how to use morning-after pills.
C- Guidance on Where to Obtain Morning-After Pills:
- Morning-after pills are obtained from pharmacies or family planning clinics. Sometimes, they can be obtained over the counter at stores.
- You may also require a prescription to obtain a specific type of morning-after pills, depending on your location and the regulations there.
- Make an effort to check for the availability of morning-after pills at home and supply points around you, especially if you anticipate needing them in the future.
♦ Section 3. Effectiveness of Morning-After Pills:
Morning after pills are such as highly effective means of emergency contraception. Thus, here is what you should know about how effective morning-after pills are: A- Statistics on effectiveness when taken within specified time frames:
A- Statistics on Effectiveness When Taken Within Specified Time Frames:
- When it is taken ideally sooner since the last unprotected intercourse than later, it significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy.
- But in some cases, (Levonorgestrel-based pills, for example) an MFP reduction can tend to cut the chances of being pregnant by up to 89% in case this ingests within 72 hours after the unprotected intercourse exposure.
- In the case of Ulipristal Acetate morning-after pills, it is a bit higher with studies showing up to 98% when taken within 120 hours, in other words, in 5 days since the intercourse.
B- Factors Influencing Effectiveness:
When examining how to use morning-after pills, it is important to know what factors affect its effectiveness.
- The first factor is the timing of ovulation. The sooner the pill takes the better since it is working before the exposure gets to the ovulation point.
- The second factor is the body mass of the person. Studies showed that pills were not as effective for those who had a high BMI, in other words, a high body mass.
C- Comparison with Other Forms of Contraception:
The question of how to use morning-after pills is closely related to understanding their reliability, and, unfortunately, this reliability is not very high .
- Since these pills are not a contraceptive method, but short-term hormonal intervention, they are significantly less effective compared to regular pills or condoms .
- First , the use of morning-after pills does not guarantee the inhibition of ovulation, in all cases . Also, they do not have any effect , if the process of ovulation has already started and the woman’s egg is already in the fallopian tubes ,or the uterus. It means that the risk of pregnancy is significantly higher , because of the inaccuracy of taking such pills .
- It is worth comparing morning-after pills to condoms that, in addition to being not effective in most cases, also protect against sexually transmitted diseases .
You can also consider some effective methods , with natural birth control herbs . Click HERE , to learn about some foods that provide “Natural Birth Control .”
Overall , it meanings it is important to have a correct understanding of the proper use ,and effectiveness of the so-called morning-after pills . Information about potential damage, prevalence, and the effects of emergency contraceptives on society in general will be presented in the following sections .
♦ Section 4. Potential Harms and Side Effects:
Morning-after pills are generally safe for most individuals. Nevertheless, given that these pills belong to the group of medications after all, you are expected to experience some side effects. Understanding these potential harms is critical for making a reasonable decision. First and foremost, you should be ready to experience:
A- Common But Minor Side Effects of Morning-After Pills:
- Nausea and vomiting: these two symptoms may be considered the most frequent effects since about 30% of women experience them. These symptoms usually appear within a day or two, following the pill intake.
- Irregular bleeding or spotting may occur after taking the pills, yet it will usually resolve within the next menstruation cycle.
- Some other side effects are rare, including headaches, breast tenderness, abdominal pain and fatigue, for example.
A high number of affected women experience the symptoms in a mild form, and experiencing any symptoms usually depends on the patient’s intolerance to the pills.
B- Rare but Serious Complications of Morning-After Pills:
While uncommon, it is possible to have serious complications with morning-after pills. Minor conditions happen, but the following conditions are symptoms that you absolutely must check with a doctor.
- Ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilized egg is nested outside the womb, is an unusual kind of uterine arrest, predominantly in the fallopian tube.
- The medicine might provoke an allergy, but this is not very common. If you’re allergic to this drug , you might swell ,or there would be itch, tachycardia, dizziness , rash, or fainting . Seek treatment immediately if you have any sign of an allergic effect during using the drug.
C- Precautions for Individuals with Certain Medical Conditions :
Individuals with certain medical conditions , need to use caution when taking morning-after pills . Information on how to use the method should also include information on such conditions as special attention would need to be given to the following conditions.
- These conditions may include:
– Liver disease
– Cardiovascular disease
– Uncontrolled hypertension
– History of blood clots. - It is important to consult a healthcare provider if you have an underlying medical condition or if you are already on medication that may interact with the contraceptive.
BONUS (Videos): You have read the general information, which may be helpful when making your decision. We have prepared for you a few more videos with different details and other points of view. The videos may help those who are not keen on reading long texts and need more visual data:
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