When choosing a contraceptive method, women wonder what the advantages and disadvantages of each one are. It is a complex issue and, far from simplifying things, there are countless contraceptive systems on the market: patches, prophylactics, vaginal rings… A real mess.
Although there are more and less reliable methods, it is advisable to have information about all of them, since it will help us know which ones best suit our needs and how we should use them.
Today we want to explain to you what the morning after pill
Morning after pill: a safe method to avoid pregnancy?
One of the methods to prevent pregnancy is the morning after pill. Although there are many women who use it regularly, There is a long list of clichés, myths and misunderstandings about this pill
To shed some light, we have put together this list with eight keys to know how it works.
1. What is the morning after pill?
It is a pill that It is indicated to prevent pregnancy from occurring after having had an intimate relationship without using an effective contraceptive method or in the event that there is suspicion that the contraceptive may have failed.
Depending on the country you live in, the medicine will be presented under different trade names. In Spain, the pill is sold under the trade name Norlevo and Postinor. Both pills work based on a progesterone called levonorgestrel. It must be ingested a single 1,500 milligram tablet
3. How exactly does it work?
The day after pill acts on various organic processes First, it is responsible for preventing or delaying ovulation, so that the egg cannot be fertilized by a sperm.
Second, the pill temporarily modifies some characteristics of the cervical mucus, which is a substance that we have in the cervix, with the aim of making it difficult for the sperm to travel easily through the uterus and therefore reducing the chances of them reaching their goal: the Ovum.
4. If fertilization has already occurred, what happens if I take the pill?
By the time you take the pill, a sperm may have already fertilized an egg. In this case, the morning after pill can also be very useful. The pill It acts in the uterus by preventing the embryo from adhering to the wall of the uterus If the pill succeeds, the embryo does not thrive and is expelled during menstruation.
5. In what cases should I take the pill?
To maximize the chances of it being effective, It should be ingested as soon as possible after you have had a risky intimate relationship Its effectiveness is 95% in the first 24 hours of having sex. If you let more time pass, its effectiveness will become less and less.
The pill acts on the production of hormones, altering hormonal function Therefore, you may notice some side effects, such as alterations in the menstrual cycle, nausea, dizziness, feeling of weakness… Although these are common effects among women who take the pill, do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. You feel bad after taking it.
7. I have taken the pill. How will I know if it has worked?
If you have one menstruation, you can breathe a sigh of relief: the pill has worked; you are not pregnant. In any case, keep in mind that the pill modifies hormonal functioning, so it is not unusual for your period to come a little earlier or later than usual.
8. Is the pill a 100% reliable contraceptive?
No, taking the morning after pill does not guarantee that you will avoid pregnancy It is true that the pill has shown good effectiveness, but it is not 100% reliable. In fact, it is a emergency contraceptive method, and you should not use it as a regular birth control system, because sooner or later you could get pregnant. Pure statistics.
To avoid scares, you should consult your gynecologist, who will be able to guide you and indicate the contraceptive method that best suits your case.
