Morning after pill, a necessary evil or a helping hand when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancy? The problem isn’t the morning after pill itself, but how it’s used. If it’s used indiscriminately and on a recurring basis, it’s very likely you’ll have some type of hormonal issue related to that use — do you know why?
Why Use Only in Emergencies
The morning after pill usually contains a hormonal dose equivalent to a full pack of birth control pills! Yes, that’s right! I often say it’s a true hormone bomb1. However, it was developed to provide benefits, not harm. You could get pregnant in situations like not using a condom, or if the condom breaks.But the morning after pill is only a form of prevention in urgent circumstances and, I repeat, it is not meant for regular use. For that, there are traditional contraceptives, which are much more effective, and of course, correct condom use.With several contraceptive options on the market2, it’s worthwhile to choose the one that fits your profile best — this is a decision made together with your gynecologist. But what if you forgot the condom in the heat of the moment or don’t take anything and had sex without a condom, can’t you take the morning after pill? Yes! However, the recommendation of several doctors, if not all, is not to use it consecutively and not as a regular contraceptive method. If you are sexually active, you should use another kind of protection.See what the doctor says next in the Video
How Much Does the Morning After Pill Cost and What Are the Brands
Guys, the morning after pill costs around R$3.00 up to R$72.00. There are single-dose or two-day dose versions. The brands I know are Dia D, Postinor, Pozato, Pilem, and Poslove.
How to Take the Morning After Pill
Take it right after sexual intercourse, and if it’s a double-dose package with 2 pills, you should take one after the unprotected sex and another 12 hours later. But remember, you should take it as soon as possible because, as time passes, it becomes less effective. The maximum deadline is 72 hours.Like every method, it is not 100% guaranteed, but the pregnancy rate with this pill is relatively high compared to traditional methods: there’s a 15% chance of pregnancy compared to 0.1% with other methods like birth control pill, condoms, IUD, and others.
Excessive Use
Excessive use of the morning after pill can lead to hormonal imbalance and even cause more difficult problems to resolve, such as amenorrhea (missing periods) for a long time, very dark periods, vomiting, and in short, all symptoms of excess progesterone3. Speaking of which, the morning after pill is basically made up of progesterone, which is the base for all birth control pills. It prevents ovulation and stops the egg from passing through the tube.In short, my friend, if you don’t want to get pregnant, whatever your reason, it’s best to use another method so you don’t suffer the side effects of this pill, which is only for emergency use. Remember, this text is just a warning, and if you need to take something, keep in mind that the most effective way to prevent pregnancy is contraception and using condoms to avoid diseases.
Readers’ Questions:
Is it possible to get pregnant after taking the Morning After Pill?
Yes, as with any method, it’s not 100% reliable. The pill can be up to 80% effective when taken within the recommended timeframe, and that’s one of the reasons why it should only be used in emergencies, in addition to being a ‘hormone bomb’.
How can I know if the Morning After Pill worked?
It’s only possible to know the morning after pill worked if your period is delayed by more than 15 days and you take a pregnancy test to confirm. Remember, the use of this pill can completely alter your menstrual cycle, so it’s very common to have delays.See also: Continuous Birth Control and Its Benefits
