The Morning After Pill is a topic of great relevance in sexual and reproductive health and may be necessary to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
In this article, we will address this topic in depth and detail, so you know what to expect and how to best make this decision.
Let’s begin!
How much time do I have to take the morning after pill?
First, it’s important to clarify the time frame within which you can take the morning-after pill.
This emergency contraceptive (remember, it’s not a standard contraceptive) is most effective if taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex or in case of contraceptive method failure.
There are two main types of morning-after pills:
- one based on levonorgestrel
- the other based on ulipristal acetate
The pill containing levonorgestrel should preferably be taken within 12 hours of intercourse but can be effective up to 72 hours (3 days).
On the other hand, the ulipristal acetate-based pill can be used up to 120 hours (5 days) after intercourse.
However, the effectiveness of both pills decreases with time, so it’s advisable to act quickly.
Naturally, you need to be aware of having had a problem with intercourse or act in advance, knowing you’ve had unprotected sex.
Our advice is always to have protected sex, especially if you don’t want to risk sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.
When doesn’t the morning-after pill work?
There are some circumstances where the morning-after pill might not be effective.
If a woman is already pregnant, the pill will have no effect on terminating the pregnancy.
Additionally, being overweight or obese can reduce the effectiveness of the morning after pill, particularly the levonorgestrel-based one.
Some medications or supplements, such as those for epilepsy, can also interact and decrease the pill’s effectiveness.
It’s also possible that the pill won’t work if taken beyond the recommended time period.
For this reason, if you have doubts or if you fall into one of the situations described above, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional who can provide specific advice and evaluate the opportunity to use other emergency contraceptive methods, such as an intrauterine device.
What are the side effects of the morning after pill?
The side effects of the morning after pill are generally mild and temporary.
Among the most common are nausea, fatigue, headache, lower abdominal pain, dizziness, and delays or irregularities in the subsequent menstrual cycle.
In some cases, vomiting may occur; if this happens within two hours of taking the pill, it’s necessary to contact a doctor, as the dose may need to be repeated.
Although these side effects can be unpleasant, it’s essential to emphasize that the morning after pill is a safe measure to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.
Long-term effects on fertility are non-existent, and occasional use of this emergency contraceptive is not harmful to health.
How many times can you take the morning after pill?
The morning after pill is designed to be an emergency contraceptive method and not for regular use.
Although there are no specific limits on how many times a woman can use this method, it’s advisable to use regular contraception to manage contraception more effectively and predictably.
Repeated use of the morning after pill can lead to menstrual irregularities and doesn’t offer protection from sexually transmitted diseases.
Suppose you frequently need to resort to the morning after pill. In that case, it’s appropriate to discuss with a doctor or contraception specialist to find a contraceptive solution more suitable to your needs and lifestyle.
What are the chances of getting pregnant after taking the morning after pill?
The probability of getting pregnant despite taking the morning after pill is generally low, but not zero.
The levonorgestrel-based pill prevents about 85% of expected pregnancies if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, while the ulipristal acetate-based one is slightly more effective.
However, effectiveness decreases as time passes from the “incriminated” intercourse.
It’s important to note that no contraceptive method has a 100% guarantee of pregnancy prevention, except perhaps abstinence.
If in doubt or if the menstrual cycle following the morning after pill is unusually delayed or absent, it’s advisable to take a pregnancy test and consult a doctor.
Feel free to avoid useless old wives’ tales (but this applies to all health situations)
When NOT to take the morning after pill?
The morning after pill is an emergency contraceptive method that must be taken carefully and in certain circumstances. Here’s when it’s not advisable to take it:
- Ongoing pregnancy: the morning after pill should not be taken if you suspect you’re already pregnant, as it’s not an abortive drug and doesn’t terminate an already established pregnancy.
- Ovulation already occurred: if ovulation is already in progress at the time of risky sexual intercourse, the pill won’t be effective. This is because the drug primarily works by delaying or blocking ovulation; if the egg has already been released, it cannot prevent fertilization.
- Embryo implantation occurred: if embryo implantation in the uterus has already begun, the pill cannot stop this process.
- Repeated use in a short period: although there are no specific contraindications for taking the pill multiple times in life, it’s not recommended to use it repeatedly in the same menstrual cycle to avoid excessive hormonal load.
- Drug interactions: it’s important to consult a doctor or pharmacist if you’re taking other medications, as there might be interactions that reduce the morning after pill’s effectiveness.
- Allergy to components: don’t take the pill if you’re allergic to ulipristal acetate or other components in the formulation.
In general, the morning after pill should always be considered as an emergency option and not as a regular contraceptive method.
What to take after unprotected sex as emergency contraception?
To summarize, then: after unprotected sex or in case of contraceptive method failure, the morning after pill represents a valid option – but not continuous – to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
We’ve understood that it’s essential to act promptly, taking into account the effectiveness windows of the two types of morning after pills.
If instead you’re looking for a continuous solution, want to ask for information about abortion, or want to know for certain if you’ve had a spontaneous abortion, the best thing to do is discuss with your gynecologist what’s the best solution for you.
We are with you.
We at Parentalife are committed to providing support, information, and reliable resources to help you navigate complex issues related to parenting, from the fertile period, to pre-delivery, to life with children.
We know that dealing with these topics can be complex, and that’s why we offer guides, courses, and personalized consultations to ensure that you can make well-informed decisions.
Remember that you can always turn to us for any questions or clarifications.
SOURCES
1. Vrettakos C, Bajaj T. Levonorgestrel. [Aggiornato 2023 May 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539737/
2. Emergency contraception. Paediatr Child Health. 2003 Mar;8(3):181-92. doi: 10.1093/pch/8.3.181. PMID: 20020019; PMCID: PMC2792670.