Learning about emergency contraception for women

Emergency contraception is the method of preventing pregnancy. Most women are on different types of contraceptive that will prevent conception after  sexual intercourse. But women who are worried about the lack of protection that a condom offers can also use emergency contraception to protect against conception during a sex act that has been already been performed.

Medical technology has advanced greatly in this field, and now it is quite safe and common to adopt this method in exceptional circumstances.You can use emergency medical contraception when the partners feel that their birth control measure may have failed to work, or if they did not use any protection at all.

How does it work?

Emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is basically a drug that acts against ovulation also ensures a possible post-fertilization implant of an embryo. This is what differentiates an ECP from the usual medical abortion techniques that act after the embryo implant has been done. In medical and legal terms, ECP is considered a form of contraception because it acts before the implantation. ECP generally contains a stronger dose of the same hormones that are found in regular combined oral contraceptive pills. As per the WHO guidelines,  ECP can be used for up to five days after the unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure.

When do I take it?

Preferably this “morning after pill” must be used immediately after the sexual intercourse, or within a time span of seventy two hours time. However, many such pills are now available that can be used up to five days after the intercourse, and yet produce the same effective results.

Can it gurantee no contraception?

Emergency contraception is not a foolproof prevention against pregnancy – just as any regular contraception is also not 100% foolproof. But the success rate is substantially high, though still not as effective as the regular birth control used before or during the sexual act.

As the name suggests, emergency contraception must be used only in an emergency; please do not consider it as an acceptable permanent form of contraception. If you are a sexually active couple, you cannot and must not become dependent upon this form of contraception on a regular basis. At the same time, it must be noted that this method of prevention only protects against unwanted pregnancy, but it cannot act as a condom that also protects against sexually transmitted diseases.