Morning After Pill

The morning after pill is also known as emergency contraception or backup birth control. It will not prevent the fertilization of an egg, but it will prevent it from implanting in the uterus. There is a lot of controversy around the morning after pill because some see it as an at home abortion.

The morning after pill works in much the same way as birth control pills or the Nuva ring do, but in a much higher and concentrated dose. It is believed it prevents pregnancy in the following ways:

· Thickens the cervical mucus (sperm cannot survive)

· Interferes with implantation of egg (egg is expelled)

Just like other forms of birth control that use hormones to prevent pregnancy, the morning after pill may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. To some this is the same as an abortion and it is where some of the controversy comes from.

Emergency contraception is taken in one or more doses totaling at least two pills. The morning after pill will need to be taken within 72 (three days) of unprotected sex with no birth control. The sooner it is started, the better chance there will be that it works. It should not be used as birth control on a regular basis. The following are reasons women use the morning after pill:

· Failure of birth control (condom breaks, slips)

· Missed birth control pills

· Ring not inserted

· Patch not applied

· Forced sex (rape, incest)

There is concern that with such a large dose of hormones that there is no medical checkup required. Some pharmacies choose not to sell the morning after pill, so even though it can be purchased over the counter, it may be difficult to get. Some of the side affects of taking the pill may also occur when taking the morning after pill. The side affects from taking the morning after pill can include the following:

· Nausea

· Vomiting

· Irregular bleeding

· Dizziness

· Headaches

· Ectopic pregnancy

· React with prescribed medication

· Blood clots

Another one of the concerns regarding the morning after pill is that rape and incest go unreported or untreated. The morning after pill can contribute to sexual predators being able to cover their crime and continue their criminal behavior. Also, since many women may keep their use of the morning after pill private, it may not be known if any health issues that they may suffer from are related to the high doses of hormone in the morning after pill.

The morning after pill is 89% effective when started within 3 days of intercourse that put the woman at risk of becoming pregnant. On going use of other forms of birth control are much more effective. Unprotected sex after the morning after pill is taken will still put a woman at risk of becoming pregnant.

The morning after pill can be used for emergency or back up birth control, but it is best to be careful to begin with to minimize the number of times you need emergency contraception.