The Morning After Pill

Emergency contraception or otherwise known as "Morning after pill" is a birth control procedure taken after having an unprotected sex. It may also be taken in case of other contraceptive measure failure, unprotected sex, improper use of regular oral contraceptive pill of if there is forced sex, i.e. in case of rape.

Morning after pill (MAP) is to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex gradually or in a single dose preparation to achieve the goal.

There are different types of "morning after pill" marketed in the chemist shops. They are Oestrogen only, Progestetorne only, Combined pill, Long acting synthetic progesterone only pills. These formulation works simultaneously in the ways to prevent ovulation and fertilization. Also they prevent the post-fertilization attachment of the blastocyst (matured fertilized ovum) to the uterus. They work on our body in the following ways-

The process of ovulation is inhibited. When there is no egg available to be fertilized by the sperm, no pregnancy. Normal menstrual cycle is delayed. Leading to late availability of ovum.

It irritates the inner lining of uterus and the fallopian tube (the canal from the ovary to uterus). Thus if by chance, the ovum gets fertilized by sperm it will not have a chance to grow.

Side effects:

The most common and significant side effect of Morning after Pill is nausea. About 80% of the takers of Morning after pill complain about intense nausea. Some of them actually vomit. The oestrogen part of the combined or single preparation pill is the culprit. It is usually advised to take any anti-emetic preparation half an hour before taking the morning after pill. Another way is to take the pills just after taking the meal. Should one vomit the pill within one and half hour after taking it, she has to take another dose in excess of the regular course.

Some other side effects are lower abdominal cramps, generalized bodyache, headache, lethargy, tenderness of the breast. These symptoms usually subside within a couple of days.

Bleeding through vagina is another noticeable complain of Morning after Pill. It occurs due to withdrawal bleeding produced after stoppage of intake of Progesterone. This again resolves within 2-3 days.

Pregnancy- usually ectopic. Although failure rate of Morning after Pill is less than 1%, still in case pregnancy occurs, it is disturbed. Fetal growth is untowardly. Ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening.

Morning after pill offers no protection towards sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and Hepatitis-B.Menstrual period is delayed after taking long acting progesterone preparation.Some people may be allergic to long acting progesterone preparation.There is chance of blood clot formation inside blood vessels.Morning after pill is ineffective if you are already pregnant. It cannot be used as a regular birth control method.