Introduction
To put it in medical terminology, sometimes ‘shit happens’. Despite our best efforts to make sex safe, a condom breaks or the timing is wrong and there is a need to prevent pregnancy. This can be a difficult and confusing choice for many people, resulting in quick internet searches and a bit of panic. This article aims to explain clearly what your options are and what to do.
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraception failure (broken condom, missed pill)
Emergency contraception is often incorrectly referred to as the morning after pill. While most effective within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse, it is effective to prevent pregnancy for as many as 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.
Levonorgestrel (Postinor) is available as a two-dose regimen. Two tablets of Levonorgestrel 0,75 mg taken 12 hours apart. It can also be taken in one dose.
It should be noted that the same effective dose of levonorgestrel can be obtained from swallowing a corresponding number of oral contraceptive pills. This is because the pill contains levonorgestrel as well as estrogen and so multiple tablets can be taken to achieve the same dose. The downside is the large temporary dose of estrogen which may cause a breakthrough bleed or period like symptoms.
The side effects of the morning after pill include the possibility of nausea, discomfort of the stomach followed by a vaginal bleed in the following days. It is recommended to wear a pad in anticipation of the bleed. Please contact your doctor if you have any concerns after taking Emergency Contraception.
