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There are thousands of contraceptive methods available to women in the world, but not all of them are able to use them in the right way, providing the security they should. Or they simply don’t use any method because they don’t like the side effects and when they have unprotected sex they end up panicking for fear of an unwanted pregnancy . In these cases, the morning after pill goes down in history, but many women do not know how to use it, nor how many times they can use it and what the risks of failing are.
What is the Next Day Pill?
The morning-after pill is the only emergency contraceptive method , which should only be used in extreme cases when the usual contraceptive method fails or is forgotten to use, such as: a condom puncture or forget to take the contraceptive . In cases where the IUD moves out of place, or displacement of the diaphragm can be taken. The emergency method of contraception is also used in cases of sexual violence , given in the hospital itself.
Produced on the basis of levonorgestrel hormones or ulipristal acetate , it has the sole focus of preventing or inhibiting ovulation from happening. Therefore, it is not used as an abortion method and does not cause abortion in case of pregnancy already in progress.
Easily found in any pharmacy or drugstore, they do not need a prescription for purchase. They can cost on average from R $ 7.00 to R $ 36.00 and can be found in packs of 1 single tablet or 2 tablets, which will vary depending on what is made up and the brand.
How to Use the Next Day Pill?
The morning-after pill, contrary to what many women imagine, cannot be used when you want or when you have sex. It is considered by gynecologists for its composition, a true hormone pump that can become harmful if used constantly, not to mention, that its effectiveness will be affected.
The recommended way to use the morning-after pill is to take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex. But a limit window of up to 72 hours (3 days) is given, but we need to warn you that the longer it takes to take, the less effective it is. If taken within 72 hours, it drops to 88%.
Can the Next Day Pill Cause Side Effects?
It is not uncommon to find women with doubts about what they may feel after using the morning-after pill and its possible side effects. But it is also not considered common for everyone to feel it, but the effects are possibilities that the hormonal load of this medication can cause in the female body.
The main reports of symptoms after using the method are:
- Pain and tenderness in the breasts;
- Diarrhea;
- Anticipation of the menstrual cycle;
- Delayed menstrual cycle;
- Escapes in the middle of the cycle.
In addition to all the aforementioned symptoms, it is normal for the menstrual cycle to change in the coming months, so some may be concerned about believing they are pregnant. The result is that most women take a pregnancy test in the next cycle after using the pill the next day, to confirm that they have not become pregnant.
Can I get pregnant even if I take the morning after pill?
Like any other contraceptive method, it is not 100% effective, especially if taken longer, after unprotected intercourse. Its effect interrupts or inhibits ovulation and the chances of pregnancy are practically null if taken hours after the sexual act, but even if the chances are minimal, they do exist. So, if you took the morning-after pill in this cycle, you are noticing different symptoms in your body, in addition to the menstrual delay that is considered normal after its use, take a pregnancy test to confirm.
Questions about the Next Day Pill
There are many doubts surrounding the use of the morning-after pill, and as it is not a contraceptive method that can be used daily, it is necessary to clarify all points and prevent an unwanted pregnancy from occurring or even spend money using a method that can fail by misuse.
How Many Times Can I Use the Next Day Pill?
The main doubt that the fence is about the amount of use, whether it can be used more than once in the same month or how many times a year it can be used. The number of times to take the morning-after pill should never exceed 1 per month . Some doctors recommend taking a maximum of 12 pills in total per year, 1 per month. Even so, it is an excess that we do not recommend and that can reduce the effectiveness of the contraceptive method. It is worth remembering that the morning after pill is an emergency contraceptive method and should not be used as a way of preventing recurrent pregnancy. The method should only be used in extreme cases, where other methods have failed.
Does the Next Day Pill Work If You Are Already in the Fertile Period?
The morning after pill is focused on delaying ovulation or preventing it from happening, so there is a question whether it will have an effect if you are already ovulating. And yes, if the emergency method is used right after the sexual act, the shortest possible period, more guarantee will have to happen an unwanted pregnancy. However, there is a great chance that fertilization will occur during this period, so if you take the morning-after pill during this period, we recommend waiting for the date of your next period and taking a pregnancy test to confirm it.
If I Have Unprotected Sex the Day After Taking the Next Day Pill Am I Safe?
As it is an emergency method, the focus of its effect is on that day’s unprotected sexual act, the others that may come after use will be completely subject to a pregnancy happening. If you have an active sex life, the ideal is to look for a gynecologist and start using oral or injectable contraceptives, always remembering that they only prevent pregnancy, but do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. To prevent STDs, use a condom during all sexual intercourse.
If she gets pregnant even after taking the morning-after pill, can the baby be born with a problem?
Since the morning-after pill has no abortion effect , and has the sole focus of preventing or delaying ovulation, it does not cause any reaction to the fetus, if a pregnancy is already underway.
This also applies to women who use oral contraceptives and continue to take it while they are pregnant (without knowing it). The risk is to continue hormonal methods for a long time and then it can cause changes in the embryo. But if use is stopped soon after the discovery, there is no risk.
Is There Any Contraindication To Using The Next Day Pill?
Women with venous thromboembolism, liver failure and suffering from metabolic disorders, the use of the morning-after pill is not recommended because it has a risk of worsening the condition. If in doubt, talk to your gynecologist.
My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.
Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.
