The morning after pill is considered to be the saviour to your sensual and unprotected sexcapades. An unwanted pregnancy can be a nightmare and your best bet is to pop the emergency contraceptive pill for a quick stall. But even though it is used by a large number of women, the truth about this miracle pill is rather foggy. Here’s are 12 things all women need to know about the morning after pill, whether you use it or not.
1. It is not the same as an abortion pill: The morning after pill or emergency contraception pill helps delay the process of ovulation and will in turn prevent fertilisation. It cannot end a pregnancy, although it can prevent it.
2. It doesn’t need to be taken the morning after: Most people believe that the emergency contraception pill can only be taken the morning after. This is not true. You can take it in the night or even two days. But popping one at the earliest would be best. You need to, however, take it within the next 72 hours after your episode of unprotected sex.
3. It is not the most effective: It might be the easiest option to avoid an unwanted pregnancy but it certainly isn’t the most reliable. The most reliable would be the copper IUD which prevents pregnancy for up to 10 years.
4. The morning after pill will leave you with side effects: You will notice nausea, headaches, dizziness, vomiting and even cramps along with excess blood flow during your period. You could get your period later or earlier.
5. You don’t need a prescription: Yes, this is the best method of preventing pregnancy because you don’t need a prescription or ID to buy an emergency contraception pill at the nearest chemist. They are available over-the-counter. If you are over 18, you can get your hands on one easily.
6. Prescription only pills are also available: Even though you can choose the easier way and pick up the OTC pills, prescription pills are also available which can prevent a pregnancy till the next five days of unprotected sex. These pills contain Ulipristal Acetate which can delay ovulation and works better.
7. These pills work even if you are on birth control: You messed it up even though you are on birth control? Well, worry not. The emergency pill works effectively with little or no side effects.
8. Keep them handy: You can stock them just like you do condoms. This might actually be a good idea for those unplanned sexcapedes that you don’t want to be regretting later. And since timing is really important, you’ll score here too. But make sure you check the expiry dates before popping the pill.
9. Weight doesn’t matter: Your body weight doesn’t affect the effectiveness of this pill. It works on your periodic cycle and does fine even when a heavier women pops it.
10. Doesn’t save you from unprotected sex: The pill is not an answer to raunchy, unprotected sex and all the other health hurdles it can cause you. It will not save you from STIs. There’s no evidence to suggest that it can prevent pregnancy if you proceed to do 10 more rounds of steamy sex. So better not try that. You can take it multiple times but replacing your regular method of birth control with emergency pills is a bad idea.
11. You can still get pregnant: Spoiler alert, no method of contraception offers 100 % protection and you can still get pregnant while on the pill. So if your period is very late, you might as well get tested.
12. It can mess up your cycle: If you use the emergency pill too much, you might end up playing havoc with your cycle. Your period may become less predictable and spotting and bleeding will become constant.
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