In our article we will look at the most effective birth control pills after unprotected intercourse. You will find rules for using these drugs, as well as their features.
Postcoital contraception is considered to be the prevention of pregnancy, which is extremely undesirable. The need to take these medications arises if a woman forgets to take an oral contraceptive on time or the condom breaks during sexual intercourse. Often, postcoital contraception is used after violent sexual intercourse.
It should be noted that preventing pregnancy is possible only if the woman takes an emergency contraceptive within 3 days of unprotected sexual intercourse.
Levonorgestrel-based birth control pills
Emergency contraceptives that contain levonorgestrel prevent fertilization of the egg. After taking the pill, ovulation is delayed due to cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from entering the egg.
Will these birth control pills help after intercourse? depends on the time that has passed since sexual contact:
- up to 24 hours - 95% efficiency;
- 25 - 48 hours - 85% efficiency;
- 49 - 72 hours - effectiveness 58%.
Let's look at which levonorgestrel-based birth control pills are the most effective today:
| Name | How long should I take it? | Instructions | Photo |
| Within 72 hours | The use of emergency contraception is effective for 3 days. Please note that the package contains 2 tablets, therefore, the emergency contraceptive must be taken twice. The second tablet should be taken 12 hours after taking the first. Without chewing, drink with clean water. | ||
| Within 72 hours | Within 3 days after sex (unprotected), you need to take one tablet. If side effects such as vomiting occur, the drug must be taken again. |  |
Emergency contraception based on mifepristone
Thanks to the active substance (mifepristone), ovulation becomes impossible if you take the pill within 3 days of unprotected sexual intercourse. If more than 3 days have passed, mifepristone (increased dosage) is used as an abortion for early stages(up to 9 weeks).
| Name | How long does it take to take | Instructions | Photo |
| Gynepristone | Within 72 hours | Take 1 tablet with a drink a small amount water. |  |
| Genale | Within 72 hours | It is preferable to take this drug 2 hours before meals, provided that at least 2 hours have passed since the last meal. |  |
| Agesta | Within 72 hours | Take 1 tablet with a small amount of water. It is preferable to take this drug 2 hours before meals, provided that at least 2 hours have passed since the last meal. |  |
Combined oral contraceptives for emergency contraception (Yuzpe method)
The Yuzpe method is an emergency contraception that is based on oral contraceptives.
To effectively prevent unwanted pregnancy, it is recommended to take the pills within 24 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. For this method The following medications are typical:
- Marvelon.
- Microgenone
- Regulon.
- Rigevidon.
- Miniziston.
You can also use low-dose hormonal drugs, such as Novinet, Logest or Mercilon. In this case, you need to take 5 tablets twice with an interval of 12 hours.
Emergency contraceptives during lactation
Women who are breastfeeding can use two types emergency contraception:
| Contraceptive | Characteristic |
| Installation intrauterine device | To prevent an unwanted pregnancy, an ectopic device must be installed within 5 days from the moment of unprotected sexual intercourse. IN in this case There is no need to interrupt breastfeeding. It should be noted that after installation of the intrauterine device, the contraceptive effect will remain in the future. |
| Taking hormonal pills | If a woman breastfeeding decided to prevent unwanted pregnancy use hormonal drugs, You must stop breastfeeding for 36 hours. In order not to disrupt milk production during a given period of time, a woman needs to express milk and replace the baby’s food with age-appropriate milk formulas. During lactation, a woman can choose any of the above types of medications. However, experts recommend giving preference to levonorgestrel-based tablets. Most suitable option Escapelle tablets will be taken once. |
Non-hormonal emergency contraceptives
There are two types of emergency contraception:
- hormonal drugs;
- non-hormonal drugs.
Drugs that do not contain hormones include medications based on mifepristone. Let's list their names:
- Genale;
- Gynepristone;
- Agesta.
Preparations based on this active substance do not violate hormonal background. Mifepristone tablets are believed to be more effective than levonorgestrel tablets.
Another advantage is not hormonal drugs consider a lower incidence rate side effects.
Which contraceptives are the safest?
The Yuzpe method is considered to be the safest emergency contraception. Low-dose medications have minimal side effects. If you follow the conditions for taking the pills, the effectiveness of this method is 90%.
These contraceptives can be purchased without a prescription.
It should be noted that vaginal contraceptives are not suitable for emergency contraception due to their low effectiveness.
Table: Comparison of the effectiveness and side effects of birth control pills after unprotected intercourse Cost of emergency contraceptives
How much do pills that prevent unwanted pregnancy cost? Consider the list of tablets and their average cost:
Please note that the prices for drugs are average. Depending on the region of residence, the cost may vary.
When is postcoital contraception acceptable?
It is possible to use emergency contraceptives if pregnancy is extremely undesirable:
- Since caesarean section less than 2 years have passed.
- The sexual intercourse was of a violent nature.
- Past attempts to become pregnant have ended in miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.
Before taking anything serious medication its contraindications should be taken into account:
- Age up to 18 years.
- Existing pregnancy.
- Violations menstrual cycle.
- Malignant tumors.
If after taking an emergency contraceptive you experience bloody issues, urgently consult a gynecologist.
If, 2 weeks after using the contraceptive drug, menstruation does not occur on time, you should also consult your doctor.
How to choose birth control pills after intercourse ( PREGNANCY PILLS AFTER SEX: HOW THEY WORK
The effect of the pregnancy pill lasts only three days (72 hours), which follow unprotected sex. The sooner you take the pill, the more effectively it will work and protect you from.
If the pill is taken within 24 hours, the risk of getting pregnant is minimized to 5%, if within 25-48 hours, the percentage increases to 15, and if within 49-72 hours, you can get pregnant with a 40% chance.
CONTROL PILLS AFTER SEX: BENEFITS
Abortion pills are absolutely safe if you have no contraindications for taking them. They do not injure the uterine mucosa, which minimizes the risk of infertility in the future.
Never take pregnancy pills in the following cases:
- Ectopic pregnancy or suspicion of it;
- Renal and adrenal failure;
- Long-term use of corticosteroid drugs;
- Blood clotting disorder;
- Uterine fibroids;
- Diabetes last stages;
- History of thrombosis.
Despite the safety medical abortion Compared to surgery, there may be complications after it, because each organism reacts differently to interference in its “life”. Among the complications are the following:
- Nausea and vomiting;
- Upset stomach, constipation, diarrhea;
- In the first cycle after taking the pills, there may be no periods;
- Aching and cramping;
- , dizziness;
- Decreased blood pressure;
- Temperature increase;
- Allergy;
- Infectious diseases;
- Chills, weakness;
- Exacerbation of chronic inflammatory diseases genitourinary system;
- Profuse uterine bleeding.
UNPROTECTED SEXUAL ACTUAL DURING MENSURE: SHOULD YOU TAKE PREGNANCY PILLS
There is a myth that most girls have gotten into their heads and they just don’t want to get it out of their heads. Unprotected does not lead to pregnancy. But this is not true. It is possible to get pregnant, especially if a woman has a short cycle.
And there is another myth according to which discharge after unprotected sex is mistaken for sperm leaking from the vagina. But this is not always true. Sometimes just one drop of seminal fluid is enough to fertilize an egg. Yes, and not always leaking liquid white is semen - this may be vaginal lubrication or a symptom infectious disease. So you need to take the pregnancy pill anyway.
WHAT PILLS TO TAKE AFTER SEX
In a woman's life there are unprotected intimacy, after which emergency contraception is necessary to prevent unwanted pregnancy. In gynecological practice they use pills against unwanted pregnancy,folk remedies similar action, spirals.
Many women know about these methods, but not everyone knows how to take them correctly. Most women are sure that emergency contraceptive pills, are a panacea for unwanted pregnancy. The use of these remedies is obvious, but so is the harm. Therefore, when using them, it is worth assessing the pros and cons of the action, assessing the degree of risk and providing possible dangerous consequences.
Indications for emergency contraception
For about thirty years, emergency contraception methods have been studied by doctors, many of them have proven their effectiveness and their tolerability by women. Their gynecologists recommended after sexual intercourse, the consequences of which can lead to unwanted pregnancy, namely the following situations:
- there was no planned protection;
- there has been a shift in barrier contraceptive devices;
- the condom broke;
- oral contraceptives have not been taken for at least two days;
- long-acting injection was not given;
- the spermicidal tablet did not have time to dissolve;
- ejaculation (during interruption of sexual intercourse) partially occurred in the vagina;
- incorrect definition of the “safe” period if a calendar method of protection was used;
- rape occurred.
Types of emergency contraception
If a woman does not plan pregnancy and childbirth, she should know types of emergency contraception. These include:
- intrauterine devices;
- traditional methods;
- hormonal drugs, tablets.
Timely emergency postcoital contraception will help avoid fertilization of the egg. It is enough to have an idea about the features of each possible options protection and be able to use them.
Intrauterine devices
There are reliable methods of contraception that are not medicinal. You can protect a woman from pregnancy that she does not plan with the help. This procedure is performed by a doctor within 5 days after intimacy, during which there were no means of protection.
The mechanical device provides a protective effect of 99%. IUD for emergency contraception used for women with children, victims of rape, and teenage girls.
Traditional methods
An alternative to traditional (medical) methods are folk remedies for emergency contraception. It is worth noting that they do not provide a guaranteed result. They are used when there is no opportunity to use medications.
The most effective among " grandma's recipes"are considered:
- Douching using a weak solution of fresh lemon juice. To do this, mix 200 ml of water with the juice of one large lemon and wash the vagina. To avoid disruption of the microflora, after douching, the mucous membranes must be thoroughly rinsed.
- Douching with a very weak solution of potassium permanganate. The protective effect of this procedure is about 60%, but this method must be used extremely carefully. If the concentration of the solution is incorrect, it can only cause harm. The solution is prepared in a ratio of 1:18. After douching, the genitals should be washed using mild soap for intimate hygiene.
- A slice of peeled lemon inserted into the vagina immediately after intimacy is a dangerous but effective method. Under the influence of acid, emergency contraception will occur in a few seconds. Next, the pulp is removed, and the genitals should be washed with warm water and soap.
- Dangerous methods of protection include inserting a small piece of laundry soap into the vagina. After 15-20 seconds it is removed, the mucous membranes must be rinsed well. After this, it is advisable to treat them with a special moisturizer.
- For immediate protection, use an aspirin tablet. The effectiveness of its protection is about 60%.
All of the above methods of emergency intervention have a certain effect only within 5-7 minutes after intercourse. They disrupt the acid-base balance in the vagina, which has a detrimental effect on sperm, they lose the ability to fertilize.
The same destructive effect traditional methods also have an effect on the mucous membranes of the female genital organs. You can use them extremely rarely, and do not combine them for protection purposes. After using them, you need to contact your gynecologist and talk about contraception performed in a similar way.
Emergency contraception using hormonal pills
Emergency contraception is effective with the help of hormonal drugs. They contain hormones that have a suppressive effect on the maturation of the egg, inhibit the penetration of the fertilized egg into the uterus, and reject it from the uterus, disrupting the implantation process.
Valid hormonal pills differently. They cannot be used constantly; these are emergency contraceptive drugs.
If there is a risk of becoming pregnant after sexual intercourse, it is important take the pills right away after him. Their effectiveness in the first hours of admission is 94%, by the end of the third day the probability of protecting everything 57% . When resorting to emergency contraception using pills, you need to take into account the rules of administration and possible contraindications.
Applying hormonal remedies at home, You need to know that there are drug options:
- Only 1 tablet is needed to protect against possible pregnancy;
- The drug is required to be taken according to the regimen for 3 days, up to 6 tablets.
The choice of emergency contraceptive measures depends on the length of time after the act.
All contraceptive pills after an act that may have consequences must be taken strictly according to the instructions, taking into account individual characteristics body and possible complications.
Taking a hormonal contraceptive during the day
There are medications that will provide reliable protection if taken immediately after intimacy or within twelve hours after it. List of names of such drugs:
- Ovidon – 2 tablets;
- Non-Ovlon – 2 tablets;
- Ministison – 3 tablets;
- Rigevidon – 3 tablets;
- Marvelon – 4 tablets.
Reliably protect tablets that contain an artificial analogue of progesterone - levonorgestrel. This medicines Eskinor F, Escapelle, Postinor. The action of these drugs is based on decreased egg activity after ovulation,reducing speed fallopian tubes.
The egg dies under the influence of these hormonal contraceptives before reaching the uterine cavity. Even if the egg has penetrated the uterus, the mucous membrane is rejected and it is not able to implant.
Protection after the act for 72 hours
This group includes combined oral medications that contain a high concentration of hormones (estrogen, gestagen). They should be used according to the schedule in a certain dosage. They cause the endometrium to slough and cause bleeding.
Non-hormonal pills as a means of protection
Emergency contraception is possible using the latest drugs that do not contain hormones. The active ingredient is mifepristone. These drugs are: Zhenale, Mifolian, Mifetin, Ginepristone.
Their action is based on changing the inner lining of the uterus and increasing its contractile activity. As a result of these processes, the fertilized egg is unable to implant and is rejected. It is enough to drink one contraceptive capsule at any phase of the cycle.
Emergency contraception during lactation
After childbirth, the female reproductive system does not recover immediately. With the onset of lactation, she works in a special mode; contraception during lactation is difficult due to the absence of menstruation. To avoid unwanted pregnancy, which is not uncommon during breastfeeding, emergency contraception methods are used.
A reliable method of contraception when breastfeeding is insertion of an intrauterine device. There is no need to stop feeding the newborn for this. It is important to install a contraceptive no later than the fifth day after unprotected sex; it will continue to protect the woman in the future.
When breastfeeding can be used hormonal agents for contraception after intercourse, but in this case you should adhere to strict rules:
- after taking the first protective tablet, feeding stops for 36 hours;
- so as not to disrupt the lactation process during a forced break breast milk you need to express and feed the baby with recommended milk formulas;
- You can start feeding only 36 hours after taking the last hormonal pill.
Names of drugs prescribed to breastfeeding women:
- Postinor, Escapel (contain gestagens - analogues of progesterone);
- Mifegin, Mifepristone, Agesta, Zhenale (contain antigestagens - substances that block the production of progesterone).
Very popular during breastfeeding Escapelle, as it is taken once within 72-96 hours after sexual intercourse has occurred.
Of the antigestagenic drugs, preference is often given to Zhenale, Ageste, and Ginepristone. The concentration of the active substance is only 10 mg in one tablet. This amount is quite sufficient for emergency protection, and significantly fewer adverse reactions occur.
Regular birth control pills are not suitable for emergency contraception
Despite the fact that today hormonal contraception is the most effective method protection, action regular birth control pills and the means for “fire” contraception are different. Although both are developed on the basis of hormones. 
Conventional birth control pills are selected individually and are used by a woman daily throughout her menstrual cycle. Their action is aimed at suppressing the ovulation process, changing the uterine lining, and thickening cervical mucus. When asked if regular birth control pills will help after intercourse, the answer is clear - no, if the woman has not taken them before.
Emergency contraception using hormonal drugs taken immediately after unprotected sex once, according to the instructions for the drug. The effect of such contraceptives based on egg rejection decreased peristalsis of the fallopian tubes, changes in the endothelium.
The dangers of emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is best used only in cases of extreme necessity; the consequences of such protection may become irreversible:
- ectopic pregnancy;
- bleeding;
- infertility;
- thrombus formation;
- Crohn's disease.
These drugs have many side effects:
- soreness of the mammary glands;
- nausea, vomiting;
- severe headaches;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- increased emotionality;
- allergic reactions.
Modern medicine helps a woman plan a pregnancy. In case of unforeseen situations, you should not trust advice; only a specialist will tell you the most effective and safest way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Emergency contraceptives such as the birth control pill next day, make it possible to prevent unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. However, as the name suggests, its use is an emergency and should not be used as a permanent method of planning and contraception.
Up to three days after intercourse.
Next day birth control pill- it is also called emergency contraception, a contraceptive method that is effective for 72 hours, during the 3 days that follow sexual intercourse. It is usually used when:
- There was sexual intercourse after stopping taking regular birth control pills for two or more days.
- The condom has broken or leaked.
- Rape has occurred
The effectiveness of emergency contraception increases the closer the pill is taken to sexual intercourse, so the results will be better if the pill is taken within the next 24 hours - 95%, if 25-48 hours have passed - 85%, 49 - 72 hours after the act, efficiency is 58%. If pregnancy has already occurred, the pill is not effective and it may be an abortion.
Which pills should you use for next-day emergency contraception?
1. 24 hours: Yuspe method - immediately after sexual intercourse and 12 hours after intercourse, you must take one of the drugs: non-ovlon, ovidon– 2 tablets each. straightaway ; microgynon-30, rigevidon, miniziston – 3 tablets each, Marvelon– 4 tablets each .
If a day has already passed, up to three days can help:
2. within 72 hours: 2 postinor tablets with an interval of 12 hours.
3. after 72 hours, within 5 days: a copper-containing IUD, the advantage of which is that it can be administered even 5 days after the “incident” - it interferes with the implantation of a fertilized egg. But it is not recommended to use it after rape, due to the problem of infections..
You can buy it at the pharmacy postinor and escapelle. Both drugs contain a large dose of the hormone levonorgestrel. Difference: Exapel contains 1 tablet, and Postinor contains 2.
Effect of emergency contraception:
This contraceptive, emergency method, causes several responses in the body to prevent pregnancy:
Prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg.
Prevents the meeting of sperm and egg.
Prevents the fertilized egg from implanting into the uterine wall.
Thickens the mucous secretion present in the cervix, preventing sperm from entering the egg.
This is how the substances contained in the tablets work; some contain progestin and estrogen while others contain only progestin.
Risks of using next-day birth control pills:
Due to the high hormone content of these pills, there are several side effects that may occur:
- Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Irregularity of menstrual cycles
- Pain in the vagina
- Headache
Additionally, if any of the following symptoms appear, you should contact a medical center to get immediate help:
- Severe pain in the lower abdomen 3-5 weeks after taking the pills. This may indicate ectopic pregnancy, namely in the fallopian tubes.
- Chest pain
- Redness, pain, or inflammation in one of your legs
- Rash on the shoulders, arms, legs, or feet
- Difficulty breathing
- Cloudy look
- Vomiting before 2 hours after taking the tablet, as another dose may be required.
Alternatives and the future of emergency contraception.
In some cases, it is necessary to resort to birth control pills, which are taken regularly to prevent unwanted pregnancies, but the quantity varies depending on their composition, for this reason it is necessary to consult with professionals before using them.
It is also important to emphasize that the morning after pill is not intended for frequent use, because if it is used in this way, it will lose effectiveness and therefore the likelihood of unwanted pregnancy would increase. But if pregnancy has already occurred, there are pills for abortion.
Recently a new one appeared on the market emergency contraceptive drug - ZHENALE . It is not hormonal and acts on a different principle. In addition to being better tolerated, Zhenale is extremely effective within 72 hours and its effectiveness is 98-99%.
There are already pills in use in Europe that last up to 5 days after risky sexual activity, for which the same recommendations apply as for those that have a three-day aftereffect.
The best advice is to use regular birth control, proven methods of planning and contraception. In such a serious matter there is no room for improvisation.
