Emergency contraceptive pills are one of the contraception methods that help women to control their pregnancies. A woman may want to avoid her pregnancy in various situations. These pills generally work by preventing your ovaries from releasing the eggs. These pills also work more effectively when taken within 3-5 days of having unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraceptive pills are otherwise known as morning-after pills.

Emergency contraception is typically not a birth control method. Birth control is a medical intervention that helps to avoid pregnancy for a longer period of time. Birth control options may include implants, medicine, or intrauterine devices (IUDs). On the other hand, emergency contraceptive pills are considered to be used in emergency situations, as the name suggests. They are a temporary form of birth control method to avoid pregnancy. Emergencies where the emergency contraception may help include:

• When the condom is broken
• Forgot to use any form of birth control method
• Gone through forced sex and so on

Some of the most common emergency contraceptive pills that are available in Chennai are Take Action, AfterPill, My Way, Plan B One-Step, i-Pill, Unwanted-72 and so on. These pills contain levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic hormone similar to progesterone. In addition, you can get certain emergency contraceptive pills even without a physician’s prescription at pharmacies.

Here’s a comprehensive guide, to help you understand better about emergency contraceptive pills, the side effects of emergency contraceptive pills on periods, and what to expect after using those pills. So, let’s get started!

How the Emergency Contraceptive Pills Work

When it comes to preventing your pregnancy more effectively, taking the emergency contraceptive pills within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse is recommended. However, these pills still work best when you take them within a maximum of 3 to 5 days.

Emergency contraceptive pills are generally made up of a synthetic form of progesterone hormone. This is known as progestin, which is one of the most common contraceptives.

Furthermore, the effectiveness of the drug depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle. In general, emergency contraceptive pills work in two ways. They are:

• By delaying or preventing your ovaries from releasing the eggs. This obviously prevents the egg and sperm from being fertilized.
• In case they are fertilized, the drug can prevent the fertilized egg from being implanted into the uterine lining or endometrium. When attached, it is typically considered as the beginning of the pregnancy.
• If implantation happens even before you take emergency contraceptive pills, the drug won’t disturb the pregnancy and developing embryo in any way. This means, your pregnancy will continue.

Note: You can take emergency contraceptive pills anytime in your menstrual cycle.

Who Can and Cannot Use Emergency Contraceptive Pills?

A woman of any age can use emergency contraceptive pills if she suspects of contraceptive failure. The medication requires no age limit or prescription. However, it is advisable to not take the drug in certain scenarios. They are:

• If you are pregnant for several days.
• If you notice abnormal bleeding in your vagina, which is not diagnosed.
• If you are obese. The reason is because the drug might not be effective if you are overweight.
• If you have an allergy to certain medications, particularly ingredients in the emergency contraceptive pills.
• If you are on medication, it may interact with the emergency contraceptive pill and affect its efficiency.
• If you have certain medical conditions such as cardiovascular conditions, liver disorders, and hormonal imbalances.

If you are undergoing any of the above-mentioned scenarios, it is highly recommended to consult with your healthcare professional before taking the emergency contraceptive pill. After the complete diagnosis, your healthcare professional will suggest the most appropriate emergency contraception that suits your health.

Types of Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is one of the methods of contraception. The methods may include:

Hormonal Contraception

Hormonal contraception is a birth control method, which is used to avoid pregnancy by many women. The method includes hormones such as estrogen and progesterone to modify the natural process of the reproductive organs of the women. This is done exclusively to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The types of hormonal contraception may include:

• Intrauterine contraceptives (IUCs)
• Injectable contraception
• The vaginal ring
• The contraceptive patch
• The oral contraceptive pill
• The progestin-only contraceptive (POP) pill
• The contraceptive implant

If you are undergoing any of the above-mentioned scenarios, it is highly recommended to consult with your healthcare professional before taking the emergency contraceptive pill. After the complete diagnosis, your healthcare professional will suggest the most appropriate emergency contraception that suits your health.

Non-Hormonal Contraception

Non-hormonal contraception is another birth control method, which is used to avoid pregnancy by many women. However, unlike hormonal contraception, the method involves no synthetic hormones to control the pregnancy. Instead, they use physical barriers to prevent the sperm and egg from being fertilized and implanted. The types of non-hormonal contraception may include:

• Copper intrauterine device (copper IUD)
• Vasectomy
• Tubal ligation
• Male condom
• Female condom
• Diaphragm
• Cervical cap
• Contraceptive sponge
• Spermicide

Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is the method used to avoid unwanted pregnancy in an emergency situation. The medication works best when taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex. It also works well when taken within 3 to 5 days. The types of emergency contraception may include:

• Emergency contraceptive pills or morning-after pills
• Copper intrauterine contraceptive (copper IUC)

Potential Side Effects of Emergency Contraceptive Pills on Periods

Emergency contraceptive pills can certainly cause various side effects when consumed regularly, especially during periods. By being aware of the potential side effects, you can be well prepared to manage its negative impact. However, some side effects are mild, whereas others are severe.

Some of the mild side effects that are caused by emergency contraceptive pills include:

• May cause nausea, breast tenderness, or headaches.
• May cause spotting or irregular bleeding.
• Effectiveness might be minimized because of other medications.
• May not be effective in protecting against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• May cause hormonal side effects such as acne, breast sensitivity, and mood swings.
• May cause upset stomach.
• Your regular menstrual cycle might be a week late or a week early.

All the above-mentioned side effects are mild and can usually go away on their own without any medications. However, if the very same effects are persistent and cause severe discomfort, having a consultation with the healthcare provider is highly recommended.

Some of the severe potential side effects that are caused by emergency contraceptive pills include:

• Sometimes, emergency contraceptive pills can cause the risk of developing blood clots in the legs. The condition is referred to as deep vein thrombosis. If these clots move towards your lungs, it can develop the condition known as pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate medical attention.
• In rare cases, when emergency contraceptive pills fail to work, it causes the possibility of developing ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilization happens outside the uterus, specifically in the fallopian tubes. The condition requires immediate medical help.
• Sometimes, the medication can also cause severe abdominal pain. The condition may generally arise within 3 to 5 days of taking the emergency contraceptive pill. Having a consultation with the physician is highly recommended.
• At times, it can also cause continuous menstrual bleeding than your normal cycle. If this happens, consult your physician.
• Although it is rare, the medication can cause liver dysfunction. The symptoms associated with the condition may include yellowish eyes like jaundice, dark urine, and abdominal pain.
• In some scenarios, a woman may experience an allergic reaction towards the emergency contraceptive pill. The symptoms associated with the condition may include swelling on the lips, throat, face, tongue, and face. The condition can also cause difficulty breathing and hives.

What to Expect After Taking the Emergency Contraceptive Pills

When it comes to emergency contraceptive pills, you can expect certain things to happen with your health after taking the medication. They are:

• If you vomit or are sick within two hours of taking the pill, it is suggested to have a consultation with your physician on taking another dose to prevent the pregnancy.
• It is advisable to not take the emergency contraceptive pill regularly.
• It is recommended to not have intercourse within days or weeks after taking the emergency contraceptive pill. Since the pill won’t offer lasting protection. Hence, opting for another birth control method is suggested.
• The drug can delay your menstrual cycle by up to a week. Sometimes, it may get delayed even further. If it extends to delay more than a week, take a pregnancy test and consult your physician.

In general, if you experience any of the following symptoms, having a consultation with your healthcare professional is highly suggested. The symptoms are:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding
• Continuous spotting or irregular bleeding

Even though emergency contraceptive pills are available over-the-counter, it is always advised to follow your physician’s guidance on taking the pill. Talking to your healthcare professional can help you with providing personalized guidance according to your medical conditions.

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Can We Take Emergency Contraceptive Pills During Periods?

A question that often arises is whether it's safe to take emergency contraceptive pills during your period. The answer is yes; it's safe to take them at any point during your menstrual cycle. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind.

1. Efficacy

The efficacy of emergency contraceptive pills is highest when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. If you take them during your period, the likelihood of conception is relatively low since the fertile window is typically closed.

2. Menstrual Changes

As mentioned earlier, taking emergency contraceptive pills during your period can further affect your menstrual cycle. So, while it's safe to do so, be prepared for potential irregularities in your subsequent periods.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you get pregnant if you take an emergency contraceptive pill?

The emergency contraceptive pill can significantly reduce the chances of getting pregnant when taken within 24 hours of having unprotected intercourse. However, 100% assurance is not certain with avoiding the conception.

2. Can weight influence the efficiency of the emergency contraceptive pill?

The answer to the question is yes. The weight and body mass index have the crucial role in impacting the efficiency of the emergency contraceptive pills. There are certain possibilities that these pills don’t work efficiently on obese women.

3. Does the emergency contraceptive pill affect my menstrual cycle?

The answer to the question is yes. The emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) can significantly affect your regular menstrual cycle. It can delay or rush your cycle more than usual. Sometimes, the pill can also cause heavy or irregular bleeding and spotting.

4. Reasons why emergency contraceptive pill won’t work?

The most common reasons why emergency contraceptive pills fail to work are being obese, vomiting within two hours after taking the medication, interaction with other drugs and so on.

5. Can I take the emergency contraceptive pill before having unprotected sex?

The answer to the question is no. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are designed to take after unprotected intercourse. It is not suggested to take it before the sex.

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