You are currently viewing The morning after…

The morning after…

Conception and pregnancy are wonderful, but for some women, they may happen at the wrong time and place.

SOMETIMES unprotected sex can occur because a couple just fails to use any contraceptive “in the heat of the moment”, or because the contraceptive failed. There are also times when unprotected sex is forced upon a woman. Apart from sexually transmitted diseases, one of the other biggest concerns following unintentional and/or unprotected sex is pregnancy.

Thanks to medical advances, there are now methods to prevent pregnancy “the morning after”. Actually, “morning after” is a deceptive term to describe emergency birth control methods because they can be used right away or up to five days after the incident of unprotected sex. In this article, I will explain the different types of emergency birth control methods available and how they will help women who may need them.

The morning-after pill

There are two main types of emergency contraception: hormone pills and intrauterine devices. Hormone-based emergency contraceptive pills can take the form of progestin-only pills or combined progestin and oestrogen pills. (Progestin is synthetic progesterone.) The pills contain the same hormones as regular birth control pills and work in the same way. They can prevent or delay ovulation, which is when your ovaries release an egg. If the pills are taken before the sperm meets the egg, they may interfere with the process of fertilising the egg, for instance making it harder for the egg or the sperm to travel up the reproductive tract.

Even after fertilisation has occurred, the pills can interfere with the implantation of the fertilised egg in the uterus, although this is less effective. Rest assured that emergency contraceptive pills are not the same as the abortion pill. Emergency pills do not work if pregnancy has already started. Contrary to popular belief, a woman does not become pregnant immediately after having unprotected sex, because the biological process of becoming pregnant can take as long as four to five days after that. In the meantime, the emergency pills interrupt the biological process and prevent the woman from becoming pregnant at all.

The intrauterine device (IUD)

An IUD is a T-shaped copper device inserted in the uterus to inhibit fertilisation of the egg by the sperm. It may also prevent implantation of a fertilised egg (where the fertilised egg attaches itself into the uterus wall). The device does not affect ovulation. Other types of IUDs include multiload and spiral IUDs, which work in the same way.

The IUD is a highly effective form of emergency birth control, with a success rate of over 99%. However, it has to be inserted no more than five days after having unprotected sex and must be inserted by your gynaecologist, who will first check that you are not already pregnant.

Side effects

Emergency contraceptive pills can cause some unpleasant side effects, including nausea and vomiting, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Some women may experience lower abdominal pain or tenderness in their breasts. These symptoms should stop within a day or two. In some women, the hormones in birth control pills can cause unexpected bleeding. This is generally not cause for alarm and should stop by the time you have your next period.

Your next period may also come early or late. However, check with your gynaecologist if you experience these symptoms, just to be sure that nothing is wrong. IUDs come with the risk of infections – this is true of IUDs used for both regular birth control and emergency purposes. Infections that are not treated can lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, so it is important that you get good medical advice and treatment.

The most important thing to remember is that if unprotected sex occurs, you should immediately see your gynaecologist for advice. Emergency birth control pills and IUDs should only be used with a doctor’s prescription, and the doctor has to manage any risks that arise. Do not attempt to take the pills on your own. Some of my patients who have done so have had to seek my advice for unexpected side effects.

There is nothing wrong with needing emergency birth control, but it is always best to consult a doctor first.

The Star Newspaper, Sunday December 27, 2009
By Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar

Leave a Reply