Morning After Pill - Understanding the Effects and Risks Associated with It

Morning after pill is an emergency form of contraception. It is a type of birth control which can prevent unwanted pregnancy which is a potential risk after unprotected sexual intercourse. The typical name, “morning after pill”, is on account of the fact that it is usually taken on the morning after you have had unprotected sex the earlier night.

How does it work?

It primarily works by inhibiting or delaying ovulation. It does not cause abortion, but merely stops ovulation temporarily and thus, prevents fertilization of the egg with the sperm. It is required to be taken within 72 hours or 3 days after having unsafe sex for it to work effectively, but the sooner you take it, the better it is.

Risks associated with the Morning after Pill

Although the prospect of using this pill seems very useful and handy, there are risks associated with it as well.

1. It has temporary side effects such as nausea, headache, dizziness, lower abdominal pain or cramps.

2. It is not a reliable form of birth control like condoms, copper-Ts or IUDs as you might still get pregnant.

3. It can lead to bleeding between your periods or heavy menstrual bleeding can be experienced. It can even make your menstrual cycle irregular.

4. In serious cases, it can even lead to cerebral haemorrhage (bleeding inside the brain) and cerebral thrombosis (formation of clots in the brain).

5. It does not protect you from any sort of STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) or STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection).

6. It can even lead to hormonal imbalances if taken on a regular basis as it can interfere with your regular estrogen and progesterone levels.

7. If taken multiple times, it can even affect your fertility in the future as it can alter the pH levels of your uterus.

8. It is an emergency contraceptive and not recommended for routine use.