What is emergency contraception
Release time : 06/09/2025 09:30:01
What is Emergency Contraception? Firstly, let's understand what emergency contraception is. Emergency contraception, also known as "post-coital contraception" or "emergency contraceptive pills," is a non-prescription medication that can be taken within 72 hours of sexual activity. Its primary function is to delay or prevent ovulation, thereby reducing the risk of pregnancy. Emergency contraception typically contains high doses of hormones such as progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH), which can affect the growth and shedding of the endometrium, thus achieving contraceptive effects. However, emergency contraception is not 100% effective nor suitable for all women. While it offers some protection, it does not come without side effects. Here are some possible side effects: 1. * Nausea and vomiting**: This is one of the most common side effects. Many women experience these symptoms after taking emergency contraception. 2. * Breast pain**: Some women may feel breast discomfort or pain. 3. * Menstrual irregularities**: Taking emergency contraception may cause changes in menstruation patterns, including early or delayed periods. 4. * * Headaches**: Some women may experience headaches after taking emergency contraception. 5. * Emotional changes**: Some people may experience emotional fluctuations, anxiety, or depression after using emergency contraception. 6. * Fatigue**: Taking emergency contraception may lead to feelings of fatigue or weakness. 7. * Weight changes**: Some women may experience weight gain or loss after taking emergency contraception. 8. * Other**: There are also other symptoms such as dizziness, abdominal pain, etc. It's important to note that emergency contraception is not suitable for all situations. If you have any questions about whether to use emergency contraception or if you are considering its use, it's best to consult with a doctor.
The emergency contraceptive pill is a method of contraception used to prevent pregnancy in the case of unprotected sexual intercourse or if an unintended pregnancy occurs after conception. Medication is the most common method of contraception.
Women may consider taking emergency contraceptive medication if they have experienced an accidental injury or other reasons for unprotected sex, or if contraception fails due to broken condoms, slippage, or incorrectly calculated periods.
Extended reading: 1. What situations are suitable for taking emergency contraceptives? 2. What are the side effects of emergency contraceptives? ### Side Effects of Emergency Contraceptives: Emergency contraceptives can cause menstrual irregularities, but this reaction is not present in all women. Additionally, they should not be used repeatedly over long periods; this should be common sense, yet many young people use them as their primary form of contraception, even taking three doses within a month.
There are women who do not have the concept of safe contraception when engaging in sexual activity, and they rush to convenience stores to buy emergency contraceptives afterward, possibly up to several times a year.
The emergency contraceptive pill is generally not very harmful to the body, but side effects can cause menstrual disorders such as delayed or early menstruation.
The mechanism of emergency contraceptive pills is mainly to interfere with the hormone balance in the body, inhibit ovulation or prevent the conception of the sperm.
Therefore, taking emergency contraception may cause menstrual irregularities.
Its most common side effect is the onset of menstruation before the expected time.
Some women also experience delayed menstruation.
Moreover, the amount of menstrual blood may also be affected.
Experts advise that emergency contraceptives should not be used as regular contraceptive methods, and it is generally recommended to limit the use within one month, with a maximum of once per month.
The frequent interference of emergency contraceptives with the body's hormone balance can lead to varying degrees of adverse effects on the body.
2. The principle of long-term contraception involves inhibiting ovulation and suppressing implantation.
"It has many advantages: it is efficient, long-lasting, reversible, does not require daily medication, is easy to use and distribute, and will not affect sexual life.
Compared with emergency contraceptives, long-acting contraceptives are a more popular medical contraceptive method among experts.
But it also has the disadvantage of affecting menstrual volume and cycle.
After some women take long-acting contraceptives, their menstrual volume will increase, their menstrual periods will be prolonged, and may also cause amenorrhea.
Moreover, doctors found that after some women used the most common long-acting contraceptives on the market, many complained that the drug caused them to have early pregnancy reactions, such as nausea, vomiting and other discomfort.
Experts pointed out that although most oral contraceptives are safe and reliable and do not affect the fertility of women taking them, attention should also be paid to when using long-acting contraceptives: Under general circumstances, it is recommended that women of childbearing age who have not given birth should not use oral long-term contraceptives. The use of condoms may have smaller side effects on women's bodies.
Emergency contraceptives have many hazards. Women will choose to use contraceptives when using contraception.
There are now many types of contraceptives, such as short-acting and long-acting methods as well as emergency contraception.
If intercourse occurs without contraception, an emergency contraceptive pill can be taken to remedy the situation.
What are the risks associated with emergency contraception? Emergency contraceptive pills are highly effective in preventing pregnancy, and occasional use does not pose significant harm.
If you frequently take emergency contraceptives, it can lead to hormonal imbalances in women and result in irregular menstruation or spotting.
The emergency contraceptive pill, also known as postcoital contraception, can be taken if there is no contraceptive measure during sexual intercourse and the contraceptive measures fail, such as a condom breaking.
The effect of contraception is usually achieved within 72 hours after intercourse.
The emergency contraceptive pill is a last-minute measure for unprotected sex, but it should not be seen as a regular method of contraception.
In principle, the number of emergency contraceptive pills one should take in a year should not exceed three times.
Moreover, it is important to note that the use of emergency contraception does not guarantee 100% protection against pregnancy. Its efficacy rate is around 90%, meaning there is still a possibility of getting pregnant even after taking emergency contraception.
Which emergency contraceptives are better? Mom.com recommends three common emergency contraceptives on the market: 1. Yuting (levonorgestrel tablets), market price: 12.9 yuan, packaging specification: levonorgestrel 0.75mg*2 tablets, description: white tablet, method of use: Within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, the earlier you take the medicine, the better the effect of preventing pregnancy. Take 2 tablets orally in a single dose.
Or take 1 tablet for the first time and take the second tablet 12 hours apart.
2. Market price of Baoshiting (levonorgestrel tablets): 19.8 yuan, packaging specification: levonorgestrel 0.75mg*2 tablets; description: white tablets; method of use: During unprotected sex or contraceptive failure Within 72 hours, the earlier you take the medicine, the better the effect on preventing pregnancy. Take 2 tablets orally in a single time.
Or take 1 tablet for the first time and take the second tablet 12 hours apart.
3. Market price of Anting (levonorgestrel tablets): strength 1-22.9 yuan/strength 2-22.8 yuan/strength-12.5 yuan Packaging specification: strength 1-levonorgestrel 1.5mg*1 tablet/strength 2-levonorgestrel 0.75mg*4 tablets/strength 3-levonorgestrel 0.75mg*2 tablets Description: White tablet Usage method: Specification 1-Within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, the sooner you take the medicine, the better the effect of preventing pregnancy. Take 1 tablet orally at a single time.
Specification 2/3, - Within 72 hours of unprotected sexual activity or contraceptive failure, the sooner you take the pill, the better its effect in preventing pregnancy and a single dose of 2 tablets is recommended.
Or take 1 tablet at the first time, and take 2 tablets at an interval of 12 hours.
What is the effective time for emergency contraception? When should emergency contraception be taken? Generally speaking, taking emergency contraception within 72 hours after sexual intercourse is effective.
If you have intercourse during your medication period, the timing should be recalculated.
Healthy women of childbearing age, excluding pregnancy, should apply the medicine within 72-120 hours after sexual intercourse. The earlier it is applied, the better its effect. If taken more than 72 hours after sexual intercourse, the failure rate tends to be higher.
How to take emergency contraceptive pills? How should emergency contraceptive pills be taken? Let's take a look at what experts say.
Experts point out that emergency contraception can only be used once per month, and repeated use can lead to menstrual irregularities and impact health. When taking it, there are several important considerations: 1) It should only be used occasionally; generally, no more than one use per month is allowed, and it cannot be used every month.
2. Take one tablet within 72 hours; take another tablet 12 hours later, totaling two tablets.
The earlier you take your medication, the better it works.
3. If vomiting occurs within 2 hours after taking the medicine, take another tablet immediately.
4. Following the use of emergency contraception, there is still a risk of pregnancy if sexual intercourse occurs again.
5. Patients with cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, breast cancer, postpartum women within six months of childbirth, and those who have been diagnosed with pregnancy are prohibited from using this medication.
The medical information provided in this text is for reference only.
In case of discomfort, it is advised to seek medical attention promptly. The diagnosis and treatment should be based on the clinical examinations conducted by a physician in person.