Emergency pills are a method that is used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse. As the name suggests, “Emergency”, these are oral pills and used only in situations when other birth control methods fail. The situations may arise in the case of rape, breaking or slipping off the condom during intercourse or having unprotected sex, etc.
Our expert Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Dr. Meeta, associated with Tanvir Hospital, Hyderabad says, “It should not be used as a regular form of contraception and is only in case of a dire emergency. It is only a backup,”.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Emergency contraception (EC) can prevent up to over 95% of pregnancies when taken within 5 days after intercourse,”.
However, the reason it is suggested to be taken only in the case of emergency is as Dr. Meeta tells, “The amount of drug in an emergency pill is almost equivalent to what you may take in a 21 days oral contraceptive pack and its consumption on a regular basis can be harmful”.
How Does It Work?
“The pills are high doses of Progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone). It thickens the cervical mucus, blocking the sperms from joining the eggs. It also decreases the motility of the tube and hence prevents implantation,” she explains. However, one needs to understand that emergency pills work only if taken early. It doesn't affect an already established pregnancy and should not be mistaken as a way of abortion.
Emergency pills are for birth control, not for abortion
Who Can Use It?
The WHO states, “Any woman or girl of reproductive age may need emergency contraception to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. There are no absolute medical contraindications to the use of emergency contraception. There are no age limits for the use of emergency contraception,”.
Side Effects
Although it can be taken by women of any age, these pills come with certain side effects:
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Breast Tenderness
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
Dr. Meeta says that it can also cause irregular bleeding and there are chances that it may not work. “It should always be taken only after consulting a doctor”
Therefore, Dr. Meeta repeatedly stresses the fact that these pills are to be used only in case of emergency and not regularly as a mode of contraception. There are other birth control measures that can be followed. You may consult your doctor who may suggest safer birth control measures. Apart from this, many people have unprotected sex which leads to unwanted pregnancy in women. Thus, it is important to normalize and pay more attention to sex education in our country.
