Pill of the day after: 8 keys to know how it works
When choosing a contraceptive method , women ask ourselves what are the advantages and disadvantages of each one. It's a complex issue and, far from simplifying things, there are a lot of contraceptive systems on the market: patches, prophylactics, vaginal rings ... A real mess.
Although there are more reliable methods and less, it is convenient to have information about all of them, since it will help us to know which ones are best suited to our needs and how we should use them.
Today we want to explain what is the morning pill .
Pill of the day after: 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 topics, myths and misunderstandings about this pill .
To provide a little light, we have prepared this list with eight keys to know how it works.
1. What is the morning-after pill?
It's a pill that is indicated to prevent a pregnancy from occurring after having had an intimate relationship without having used an effective contraceptive method or in case there are suspicions that the contraceptive may have failed.
2. How should I take this pill?
It depends on the country in which you live, the medicine will be presented under different commercial names. In Spain, the pill is sold under the brand name of Norlevo Y Postinor. Both pills work based on a progesterone called levonorgestrel. It must be swallowed 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 ovum can not be fertilized by a sperm.
Second, the pill temporarily modifies some features 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 easily travel through the uterus and therefore reducing the chances that they will reach their goal: Ovum.
4. In the event that fertilization has already occurred, what happens if I take the pill?
It is possible that by the time you take the pill, a sperm has already fertilized an egg. In this case, the morning-after pill can also be very useful. The pill It acts in the uterus preventing the embryo from adhering to the wall of the uterus . In case the pill achieves its mission, the embryo does not thrive and is expelled during menstruation.
5. In which cases should I take the pill?
To maximize the chances of it being effective, should be swallowed as soon as possible after you have had an intimate risky relationship . Its effectiveness is 95% in the first 24 hours of having maintained relationships. If you let spend more time, its effectiveness will be less and less.
6. What are its side effects?
The pill acts on the production of hormones, altering hormone function . Therefore, you can notice some side effects, such as alterations in the menstrual cycle, nausea, dizziness, feeling of weakness ... Although they are common effects among women who take the pill, do not hesitate to consult your doctor if you have any questions or you You feel bad after you have taken it.
7. I have taken the pill. How will I know if it worked?
If you have a menstruation , you can breathe easier: the pill has taken effect; you are not pregnant Anyway, keep in mind that the pill modifies the hormonal functioning, so it is not uncommon for the rule to come a little earlier or later than usual.
8. Is the pill a 100% reliable contraceptive?
Do not, taking the morning-after pill does not guarantee that you avoid pregnancy . It is true that the pill has shown good effectiveness, but it is not 100% reliable. In fact, it's a emergency contraception method, and you should not use it as a usual birth control system, because sooner or later you could get pregnant. Pure statistics.
To avoid scares, you should consult your gynecologist, who can guide you and tell you the contraceptive method that can best adapt to your case.
