4 frequently asked questions about emergency contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills are used to reduce the risk of an unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex. Below are some frequently asked questions about emergency contraception that many mums want to know about. Content reviewed by Dr NGUYEN THI KIEU TRINH - Medical Adviser - Former Head of Obstetrics, Quang Nam General Hospital.

How emergency contraceptive pills work

• Emergency pills are a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, or after using another method of protection that you fear may have failed.
• Once in the body, the hormones in emergency contraceptive pills act to block a woman's natural ovulation, which prevents the egg and sperm from meeting and fertilisation from taking place.
• If the egg has already been fertilised, the pill stops the lining of the uterus from forming the implantation window, preventing the embryo from implanting in the uterus. If implantation has already happened, emergency contraceptive pills do not interrupt the pregnancy. Emergency contraception works by preventing conception, not by ending a pregnancy.

Common types of emergency contraceptive pills

• There are many types of emergency contraceptive pills, but on the Vietnamese market today the 2 most common are the following.
• Pills containing a progestin: levonorgestrel 0.75 mg/tablet or 1.5 mg/tablet;
• Pills containing an anti-progestin: mifepristone 10 mg.
• Emergency contraceptive pills may come in 1-tablet or 2-tablet packs. Users should take care to use them correctly, as using them wrongly can make them ineffective.
• Research shows that the sooner the pill is taken, the more effective it is. However, about 1–2% of women still become pregnant even when taking an emergency contraceptive pill right after unprotected sex.
• After taking the pill, your next period will come within the next month. Usually your period will arrive on time, but it may come up to 1 week earlier or later. If your next period is very late, use a pregnancy test or see a doctor for the necessary tests to confirm whether or not you are pregnant.

Side effects of emergency contraceptive pills

Emergency contraceptive pills do not cause serious side effects. However, overusing them or using them incorrectly may cause side effects such as:

• Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, tiredness
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Breast tenderness
• Periods may come earlier or later.

If these symptoms do not improve after a few days, see a doctor for advice and a check-up.

Things to note when taking emergency contraceptive pills

To make sure you use emergency contraceptive pills correctly and effectively, keep the following in mind:

• Only take the pill when truly necessary. Read the instructions carefully or ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking it. Do not take it more than 2 times a month or 3 times a year, to avoid affecting female fertility.
• Take the pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex for the best effect.
• Taking several emergency contraceptive pills does not make them more effective; instead, it increases the risk of severe side effects because the body cannot absorb the drug. So just take the full, correct recommended dose.
• Do not take the pill if you are pregnant or suspect you are pregnant, or if you are being treated for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, epilepsy, cerebral circulation disorders…
• If you have side effects after taking the pill and the symptoms persist or occur unusually often, see a doctor straight away to rule out serious conditions.

Above are some frequently asked questions about using emergency contraceptive pills that many mums want to know about. If you have any questions on this topic, you can post them in the comments below, or ask directly in the sharing screen of the Momby app to get more detailed answers from specialist doctors!
References:

Suc khoe va Doi song (Health & Life)

Tu Du Hospital