What dies the morning after pill do?

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex? Look no further than the morning after pill! In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about this handy little emergency contraceptive.

What is the morning after pill?

The morning after pill, also known as emergency contraception or Plan B, is a type of birth control that can be taken up to 72 hours (or sometimes even up to five days) after having unprotected sex. It’s designed to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation or fertilization from occurring.

How does it work?

There are two types of morning-after pills – one with levonorgestrel and another with ulipristal acetate. Both work in slightly different ways:

Levonorgestrel

This type of pill contains a hormone called levonorgestrel which works on three levels:
– It prevents ovulation – not allowing an egg to be released.
– It thickens cervical mucus making it difficult for sperm cells’ movement towards the egg.
– Hormonal changes make implantation less likely if fertilisation has occurred.

Note: Levonogestrel-based pills should not be used more than once within a month as they could affect regular hormonal cycles

Ulipristal Acetate

Ulipristal acetate delays/fails ovulation mainly through action on progesterone receptors but post-fertilization effects cannot be excluded due its anti-progesterone properties. This type may be preferred by some women because it’s effective for up to five days after having unprotected sex.

Tip: Before taking any medication make sure you check appropriate procedures for usage with your GP/specialist services

When should I take it?

Emergency contraceptives like Plan B work best when taken as soon as possible post-sexual intercourse. The longer you wait before taking it, the less effective it may be. Some studies suggest that waiting 72 hours to take emergency contraception is still relatively effective but this has not being observed in all research
Both of these types of morning after pill can be found at your local pharmacy or by prescription from a healthcare provider.

Will it work every time?

No contraceptive method is 100% effective and Morning-after Pill (MAP) isn’t an exception. MAPs are proven to reduce the risk of unexpected pregnancy significantly if taken within recommended time parameters.That said, they are more efficient when taken as per manufacturer recommendations with limitations:

• They might not work properly for women who have ongoing medication or illnesses that lowers hormonal effectiveness
• There’s still a small chance you could become pregnant after taking it.
• Emergency contraception pills should never be used as primary birth control

Fun Fact: By tracking ovulation cycles and partnering with licenced medical professionals would always increase chances better than solely relying on emergency contraceptives.

Are there any side effects?

As with most medications, there are some common side effects associated with the morning after pill:
Nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain/diarrhea
Dizziness/Headaches/fatigue/muscle pains
Irregular menstruation

That said,because these symptoms usually only last one to two days after taking them most women do well eventually; In case symptoms persist please contact appropriate healthcare services for advice

Can I use the morning after pill while on my period?

Yes! The timing works slightly different whether you start during bleeding episodes or outside menses periods.
For even more reliable pregnancy prevention, international clinics strongly suggest other preventative methods such as condoms in addition to using emergency contracpetion.

When will I get my next period?

After taking one’doses’of MAP which contains levonorgestrel-a common compound-Studies shows that many women had their next period within a week of when they were expecting it but for Eg ipr-AS (use full name once) which is not as commonly used— results may vary. In any case, there’s nothing unusual with experiencing changes in a follow-up menstrual cycle

Is the morning after pill safe?

Like most medications, taking the MAP can come with some side effects and possible health risks like ectopic pregnancy, IUD complications or post-menstruation syndromes. However emergency contraception pills are typically considered safe over-the-counter options

Tip: As highlighted earlier it’s best to consult your healthcare provider if you experience symptoms that persist beyond recommended time lines laid out by manufacturers.

Can I take the morning after pill more than once?

It’s important to understand that using Emergency Contraception on regular basis isn’t dependable for long term use so relying solely on MAPs frequently should be avoided! Besides lack of effectiveness due potential hormonal imbalances/reactions related outcomes might hinder future fertility capabilities ultimately creating avoidable reproductive issues.
This is not only an effective approach but also helps support women`s reproductive well being .

Bottom Line

While no birth control method – including Plan B – is foolproof and always works perfectly every time , They are proven reasonably effective when taken per appropriate guidelines Ultimately It makes sense to know how these types of contraceptives work since chances are high we will need them at various points . For added protection against unwanted pregnancies –partnership and conversations between licenced providers & care-seekers could go along way towards achieving a synchronised contraceptive strategy.