A Pill In Time

Emergency Contraception is a form of birth control that is often used to prevent a woman from getting pregnant in the event of unprotected sexual intercourse, nonconsensual sexual episodes like rape or incest or when other methods of birth control fail.


Types of emergency contraception
The two types of emergency Contraception are intrauterine device (IUD) and birth control pills or “the morning-after pills”.

Types of IUDs
There are quite a few types of IUDs but the most popular are the hormonal IUD and the copper IUD. IUDs have to be inserted by your doctor.


How do the IUDs work?


Hormonal IUDs

Hormonal IUDs are generally made of the Hormone Progestin. They work in many ways to prevent pregnancy:

Progestin causes the thickening of the muscles of the Cervix thereby preventing the Sperm from entering the Cervix.
Progestin also makes the Sperm less active so that it does not fertilize the egg.
IUD prevents the fertilized egg from implanting itself on the wall of the Uterus.


Copper IUDs

Copper IUDs too have different methods of preventing pregnancy

The copper released by this type of IUD prevents the Sperm from fertilizing an egg.
If at all an egg is fertilized it prevents the fertilized egg from sticking to the uterine wall.


The IUD will have to be placed inside your Vagina by your doctor within 5 days of the sexual episode to maximize its effects.


The hormonal IUD must be changed every 5 years. The copper IUD can stay in your body for as long as 10 years.


The hormonal IUD must be changed every 5 years. The copper IUD can stay in your body for as long as 10 years.
IUD is particularly useful for women who find it difficult to take birth control pills.
An IUD can be left inside the Vagina for long-term use.
IUDs do not protect you from Sexually Transmitted Diseases.



What are birth control pills made of?

Emergency Contraception pills often referred to as ‘the morning after pills’ are usually made of hormones such as Progestin and Estrogen or Progestin alone.

These hormones are similar to the ones secreted in the female body. The progestin-alone method is more effective and is less likely to cause nausea.

How do these pills work?

The hormones in emergency Contraception pills interrupt the normal patterns in a woman’s Menstrual cycle. The presence of the hormones Estrogen and Progestin or Progestin alone, regulate Ovulation and fertility just as your natural hormones do. The pills work in one or many ways to prevent pregnancy:

They may prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg.
They may prevent the Sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg.
They may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting itself in the Uterus lining.



How and when should I take these pills?

These pills must be taken immediately or at the earliest possible time after sexual intercourse. To increase the effectiveness of the pills, it is recommended that they be taken within 24 h of sexual intercourse.


The first dose of pills must be taken orally as soon as possible, ideally within 3 days (72 h), but no later than 5 days (120 h) of having unprotected sex. A second dose is taken after an interval of 12 h after the first-dose.


The number of pills in the dose depends on the brand of pill used or as per the advice of your doctor. For progestin-only pills, both doses can be taken at the same time or 12–24 h apart.


Is emergency Contraception effective enough? What are the risks?

Although emergency Contraception decreases the possibility of pregnancy to a large extent, it is not as effective as other types of Contraception and should not be used as replacement of other methods. It is advised only in rare and unavoidable occasions.


Birth control pills have various side-effects although most of it disappears in a few days. If you are already pregnant, emergency Contraception is not advisable.

It is recommended that you seek your doctor’s advice.
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Side-effects of emergency

contraception
Dizziness
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Abdominal pain
Tender breasts
Irregular periods
Emergency Contraception does not provide protection against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases
Seek your doctor’s advice

Your doctor will suggest a method of birth control that you can use regularly. Nevertheless, if you do have sexual intercourse without adequate birth control methods, you can use emergency Contraception. It is simple, safe and to a large extent lessens the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex.
Know About Pregnancy
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Birth Control choices
A Pill In Time
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