The day after pill is also known as the next day pill, plan B or emergency pill. Emergency contraception refers to the use of female hormones orally in high doses within 72 hours of risky intercourse to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Although widely used, it was designed to prevent unwanted adolescent pregnancy and in cases of rape or non-consensual sex.

Since the mid-1970s, schemes have been used based on the use of oral contraceptives in high doses and in recent times, especially formulated preparations of posology more comfortable and with fewer side effects.

There are no abortions and does not affect the embryo / fetus of an established pregnancy. There are no reports of abortion or congenital malformations in cases of inadvertent or voluntary use during pregnancy.

The use of intrauterine devices (IUDs) as a method of emergency contraception is poorly understood but much more effective than hormonal methods

When to take emergency contraception?

The formal indication of ACE is the prevention of unwanted pregnancy in girls, inducing the sinner to engage in sexual activity of this group of women irresponsibly due to the existence of a method of birth control that is presented as an option easy to use Its use is widespread in adult women in a wide variety of conditions. The ACE is indicated within the first 72 (up to 120) hours after intercourse to:

• Women who have unprotected intercourse or dubious protection.
• Women who have forgotten 2 or more shots of their oral contraceptive.
• Women who report condom breakage during intercourse.
• Violations, rape or sex without consent.

WARNING: The method is designed to be used in emergencies, not to be used in a regular or irresponsible manner. The sexually active woman is expected to adhere to an effective contraceptive method in the long term and sea oriented and controlled by a gynecologist or physician trained in the area. It does not prevent sexually transmitted infections.

How to take the pill the day after?

The ACE must be taken within the first 3 days of risky intercourse. Even at the time of greater fertility – around ovulation – and in very fertile women the effectiveness of the method in the prevention of unwanted pregnancy is 80-85%. According to recent studies the use of modern and designed drugs for this type of more effective than the combined hormonal methods Yuspe type and presents other side effects. If intercourse occurs far from ovulation, higher rates of pregnancy prevention are expected. When from the US between 72 and 120 hours after intercourse the effectiveness decreases considerably. If the body weight is greater than 75 kilograms can decrease its effectiveness.

Although I do not usually place doses in my articles I feel obliged to do so in this case and that whenever I can prevent an adolescent pregnancy I will feel fulfilled; I’ve seen the deaths, infections and infertility in adolescents who have had abortions to maintain an indolent position in this regard. It is no secret that “girls” begin their sexual activity at an earlier age, 15, 13, 11 years … I can not avoid or censor the sexuality of girls, but also help avoid the complications of sexuality irresponsible

Combination regimens (Yuspe): should include two 12-hour intervals involving less than 100 mcg of ethinyl estradiol and less 0.50 mg of levonorgestrel or 1 mg of norgestrel. This is achieved with 2 doses of 3-4 grageas per dose of oral contraceptives available in the market.

Modern non-combined regimens: these include one or two tables containing progestogens designed to be taken in two separate doses for 12 hours. Recent publications suggest that taking the drug in a single dose is more effective than the divided dosage.

Presentations of the day after pill

The morning after pill comes in a presentation of one or two tablets with adequate levonorgestrel content (.75 ​​mg x 2 or 1.5 mg x 1) sufficient to exert its contraceptive effect.

One of the pioneers was Gedeon Richter’s Postinor-2 and other brands followed. In any case the usual presentation includes two tablets that can be taken together or separated by 12 hours with equal final effectiveness.

How does emergency contraception work?

It is believed that the mechanism of action is based on one or more of the following mechanisms: inhibition of ovulation, disruption of follicular development, interference with maturation of the yellow body, inhibition of fertilization, endometrial alterations.

Is the morning after pill abortion?

IT IS NOT. It has no effect on the established pregnancy and does not affect the developing embryo / fetus.

Side effects of the emergency pill

Infrequent and not serious:

• Stomach ache
• Vomiting 17-50%
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Breast tenderness
• Genital bleeding (expected at 3-4 days)
• Loss of previous menstrual pattern
• Side effects are less frequent and / or less intense with the use of modern methods that include only progestins.

Intrauterine device as an emergency method

The placement of an IUD, Copper T, is an excellent method of emergency contraception in patients who desire involuntary contraception after unprotected intercourse near ovulation. It is more efficient than the hormonal method with a greater use window: it can be placed up to 5 days after intercourse and has a 99% effectiveness. The disadvantage is its higher cost, the discomfort of insertion and the need to go to a doctor. The truth is that if the patient wants long-term, effective and cost-effective contraception, this is the method to consider.