Effect of the morning-after pill - Is it safe and effective

How does the morning-after pill work?

The action of emergency contraception is based on stopping or delaying ovulation. This prevents the release of the ovum from the ovarian follicle and prevents fertilisation of the ovum.

The pill was invented to avoid unwanted pregnancy in emergency situations. It is a form of emergency contraception because it is taken once after intercourse. There are two types of pill available in Poland, (ellaOne, escapelle) with a similar mechanism of action. They differ in composition and duration of efficacy, but both are only available by prescription.

Is emergency contraception effective?

Emergency contraception is effective, but we have up to 120 hours after intercourse to use it. If you take the pill within 72 hours and as prescribed, it can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 87%. If you take it within 24 hours, it is even more effective (98-99%).

Remember, however, that the morning-after pill is not as effective as regular contraception. So don't treat it as a form of birth control. This type of contraception also does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Think of it as an emergency backup, not a routine use. It was created to help avoid pregnancy in emergency or unforeseen situations.

Does the morning-after pill have an abortifacient effect?

No. This is one of the myths. The morning-after pill has contraceptive effects, not early termination. It is meant to prevent ovulation or fertilisation. The morning-after pill protects against pregnancy from intercourse that took place before taking it, so it does not cause a miscarriage or abortion. It will not work if you are already pregnant.

You can take the morning-after pill if:

• you have had unprotected sex
• you did not use any birth control
• you had a problem with a condom during intercourse
• you missed at least two or three active contraceptive pills in a row
• your partner did not withdraw in time

You should not take the morning-after pill if:

• you know you are pregnant
• you have an allergy or hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the morning-after pill
• you have recently had vaginal bleeding that your doctor has not yet assessed
• you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• you have a thrombophilic disorder
• you have a hormone-dependent cancer
• you are taking regular contraception
• you have an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy

Side effects of emergency contraception

Many women use emergency contraception without complications. But always before starting it, you should ask your doctor about possible interactions with other medications. The morning-after pill is considered safe for most women. It should not be taken if you are pregnant as it will not terminate the pregnancy. Potential side effects include:

• nausea
• abdominal pain
• fatigue
• headache
• a feeling of swelling
• hypersensitivity, breast pain
• back pain, pelvic pain
• mood swings
• itching of the skin, hives
• menstrual changes
• dizziness
• breast tenderness
• vomiting - if you vomit within two hours of taking the medicine, contact your doctor to find out if you need to repeat the dose
• unexpected bleeding - this may occur occasionally and should disappear until your next period. It may also occur earlier or later than usual. If your period does not appear within three weeks, take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant.

Where do I get a prescription for the morning-after pill?

The fastest way to get a prescription is during an online consultation. Your doctor will assess your health and any contraindications to taking the morning-after pill on the basis of a thorough medical history. It is very important that you tell the doctor about any current or past illnesses you have, any medications you are taking, and any allergies you have. If your doctor decides that there are no medical contraindications to taking the morning-after pill, he/she will issue a prescription. You will receive this electronically. An SMS code will be sent to your telephone number, which you can redeem at pharmacies in Poland. When time is so important, online consultation and e-prescription saves a lot of time and additional stress.

Emergency contraception - online consultation at Med24

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