Rapid contraceptives for 3 days. Pills and other emergency contraception. Why emergency contraceptives are dangerous

An unplanned pregnancy today is an urgent problem not only for young girls, but also for women who have long reached adulthood. Most of the fair sex, in order to avoid the occurrence of such a problem, take care of a possible pregnancy in advance, resorting to the use of contraceptives. However, it is not uncommon for a lady to take emergency contraceptive pills.

When are emergency birth control pills used

The harm of such drugs is undeniable, but despite the fact that most women are informed about this, they still remain quite popular in the modern world. Moreover, in certain cases, this is really the only way out of this situation. It should be noted that in any case, before using them, you must consult a professional gynecologist. It is worth considering the most common cases of emergency intervention:

• sexual intercourse was performed without the use of protective equipment;
• the sexual intercourse was untimely interrupted;
• in the process of intercourse, the condom turned out to be defective and broke or slipped off at the wrong time;
• the girl was forced to have sexual intercourse without using contraceptives.

By the way, this problem is very relevant for mothers who have recently given birth to their baby and are still breastfeeding him. In this situation, you can use emergency contraception, but only if you stop feeding for about a day. During this time, all substances of the drug that are dangerous to the health of the newborn must be removed from the blood.

Emergency contraceptive pills and other rapid contraception names

It is worth taking a closer look at the most effective, affordable and popular means for instant protection of women from unwanted pregnancy.

1. "Escapel". This is a fairly new drug that acts as an emergency contraception. Its effectiveness is determined by 96 hours after unprotected intercourse. The sooner you take the pill, the more likely you are to eradicate the problem initially. One of the positive qualities of this medication is the high content of levonorgestrel, which makes it unnecessary to take the pill again
2. "Postinor". Until now, it has not lost its popularity, but today it is the drug with the greatest number of side effects. As a rule, after unprotected intercourse within 48 hours, you must drink the first tablet of the drug, and after 12 hours - the second. Moreover, the effectiveness of the medicine directly depends on the timely adoption of the second pill.
3. "Ginepristone" and "Zhenale". They are among the most widespread and available drugs today. It should be noted that they are used not only as a means of emergency contraception, but also as contraceptives, immediately before the onset of sexual intercourse. They are considered absolutely harmless by medical professionals.
4. When observing pregnancy up to 6 weeks, after a woman has had a delay in the menstrual cycle, use "Mifegin". It is worth considering that this drug can only be administered by a licensed gynecologist.
5. Finally, after the first 5 days after unprotected intercourse, it is quite effective to insert an intrauterine device into the woman's vagina. In no case should a spiral be inserted if a girl was forcibly forced to have sex, as the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases increases.

For many ladies, the question is relevant: will emergency contraceptive pills (urgent) affect the formation of the baby's fetus, in the event that the pregnancy was interrupted with their help, after all, it was not possible? Professional doctors for the most part agree that these drugs do not have any effect on the health of the unborn child, and there is no need for an abortion. True, if the pills are taken when the division of the fetal cells has entered the active phase, there is a high probability of miscarriage.

It is worth noting that if the name of the emergency contraceptive pills is unfamiliar, in any case, you should not take them without consulting your doctor - a gynecologist - this can seriously affect the health of a woman's body. Emergency contraceptives and pills are by no means recommended for use in the following situations:

• with severe and chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys, as well as biliary tract;
• after suffering from jaundice;
• at the moment when the pregnancy has already begun (the probability of a miscarriage is high);
• in the case of allergies to certain components of the drug.

When a woman takes the rapid birth control pill, she often has side effects. It is worth highlighting the most common of them:

• violation of the menstrual cycle for about one week;
• bleeding from the vagina;
• a feeling of tension in the area of \u200b\u200bthe mammary glands;
• sharp headaches accompanied by dizziness;
• nausea and vomiting, and sometimes diarrhea;
• unpleasant pains in the abdomen (in the lower part of it).

Even if you are taking medications such as instant birth control pills on your own, without consulting a doctor, you should not be shy or afraid to come to a gynecologist for examination. The fact is that pregnancy, as such, cannot be called a disaster. It will be a serious problem if the girl also contracted any sexually transmitted disease.

That is why, after having unprotected intercourse, you should donate your blood for analysis, so that medical professionals will carefully check it and give an appropriate conclusion. However, in any case, it is necessary to secure yourself in advance from pregnancy, if this phenomenon is undesirable for a woman, so that later you do not take emergency contraceptive pills and do not harm your body.

Although emergency contraception is harmful to the female body, in some cases (breaking a condom or unprotected intercourse) this is the only way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy without having an abortion, which is even more dangerous. In this article, we will look at the most popular emergency (postcoital) contraception pills.

Remember that postcoital contraception cannot be used regularly. For permanent protection, there are other methods, for example, hormonal and barrier contraceptives, which do not harm the woman's body, but at the same time work just as effectively.

Most popular emergency contraceptives

Postinor - a drug of the old generation, has a number of side effects. Can be taken no later than 72 hours after intercourse. The earlier the active substance of the tablets enters the body, the less the risk of getting pregnant.

Ginepreston (Genale, Agest) - a more modern remedy that prevents the fertilization of an egg. The positive effect is achieved if applied within the first 72 hours after intercourse.

Escapel - a new drug based on the hormone levonorgestrel, effective for the first 3 days.

All emergency contraceptive pills have one distinctive feature - if vomiting or diarrhea occurred within 2-3 hours after taking, then the drug did not fully work and you need to drink the pills again.

Doctors recommend keeping the use of emergency contraceptives to a minimum; these funds are allowed to be taken no more than 2-3 times a year. In addition, pills can prevent unwanted pregnancies, but do not provide protection against sexually transmitted infections.

In a woman's life, unprotected intimacy occurs, after which emergency contraception is needed to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. In gynecological practice, they are used pills for unwanted pregnancy,folk remedies of similar action, spirals.

Many women know about these methods, but not everyone knows how to take them correctly. Most women believe that emergency contraceptive pillsare a panacea for unwanted pregnancy. The use of these funds is obvious, but so is the harm. Therefore, when using them, it is worth evaluating the pros and cons of the action, assessing the degree of risk and foreseeing possible dangerous consequences.

Indications for emergency contraception

For about thirty years, emergency contraception methods have been studied by physicians, many of them have been proven to be effective and are tolerated by women. Their gynecologists recommend after intercourse, the consequences of which can lead to unwanted pregnancy, namely the following situations:

• there was no planned protection;
• there was a displacement of devices for barrier contraception;
• the condom broke;
• oral contraceptives have not been taken for at least two days;
• long-acting injection is not done;
• the spermicidal tablet did not have time to dissolve;
• ejaculation (with interruption of intercourse) partially occurred in the vagina;
• incorrect determination of the "safe" period, if the 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;
• folk methods;
• hormonal drugs, pills.

Timely emergency post-coital contraception can help prevent egg fertilization. It is enough to have an idea of \u200b\u200bthe features of each of the possible protection options and be able to use them.

Intrauterine devices

There are reliable non-drug methods of contraception. 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 proximity, during which there were no remedies.

The mechanical device provides a 99% protective effect. IUD for emergency contraception used for women with children, victims of rape, for adolescent girls.

Traditional methods

Alternative to traditional (medical) methods are alternative means of emergency contraception. It should be noted that they do not give a guaranteed result. They are used when there is no way to use medication.

The most effective among the "grandmother's recipes" are:

• Douching using a weak solution of fresh lemon juice. To do this, 200 ml of water is mixed with the juice of one large lemon and the vagina is washed. To avoid disturbance of microflora, mucous membranes must be thoroughly rinsed after douching.
• Douching with a very weak solution of potassium permanganate. The protective effect of this procedure is about 60%, but this method must be used with extreme caution. If the concentration of the solution is incorrect, you can only harm. The solution is prepared in a ratio of 1:18. After douching, the genitals should be washed using a mild intimate soap.
• A slice of peeled lemon inserted into the vagina immediately after intimacy is a dangerous but effective method. With the acid, emergency contraception will take place in a few seconds. Next, the pulp is removed, the genitals must 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 that, it is advisable to treat them with a special moisturizer.
• For urgent protection, an aspirin tablet is used. The effectiveness of its protection is about 60%.

All of the above methods of emergency influence 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.

Popular methods have the same destructive effect on the mucous membranes of the female genital organs. They can be used extremely rarely, not to combine them for protection purposes. After using them, you need to contact a gynecologist and talk about contraception carried out in a similar way.

Emergency contraception with hormonal pills

Emergency contraception is effective with the help of hormonal drugs... In their composition, they contain hormones that have a suppressive effect on the maturation of the egg, inhibit the penetration of the fertilized egg into the uterus, reject it from the uterus, disrupting the implantation processes.

Hormonal pills work in different ways. They cannot be used constantly, these are emergency contraceptive drugs.

If there is a risk of getting pregnant after intercourse, it is important take 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 contraceptive measures with the help of pills, you need to take into account the rules of admission and possible contraindications.

By applying hormonal drugs at home,you need to know that there are drug options:

• only 1 tablet is needed to protect against possible pregnancy;
• requires taking the drug according to the scheme 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 the individual characteristics of the 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. A list of the names of such drugs:

• Ovidon - 2 tablets;
• Non-Ovlon - 2 tablets;
• Ministizone - 3 tablets;
• Rigevidon - 3 tablets;
• Marvelon - 4 tablets.

Reliably protect pills that contain an artificial analogue of progesterone - levonorgestrel. These are the medicines Eskinor F, Eskapel, Postinor. The action of these drugs is based on decreased egg activity after ovulation, reducing the speed of movement of the fallopian tubes.

The egg cell under the influence of these hormonal contraceptives dies before reaching the uterine cavity. Even if the egg has entered 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 preparations that contain a high concentration of hormones (estrogen, gestagen). They should be used according to the scheme in a certain dosage. They cause endometrial rejection and bleeding.

Non-hormonal pills as a remedy

Emergency contraception is possible with the latest hormone-free drugs. Mifepristone is used as an active ingredient. These are drugs: Zhenale, Mifolian, Mifetin, Ginepristone.

Their action is based on changing the inner lining of the uterus, enhancing 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 while breastfeeding is introduction of an intrauterine device... There is no need to stop feeding the newborn for this. It is important to establish a contraceptive no later than the fifth day after unprotected sex, it will protect the woman in the future.

When breastfeeding you can use hormonal contraceptives after the act, but in this case, you should adhere to strict rules:

• when the first protective tablet is taken, feeding stops for 36 hours;
• in order not to disrupt the lactation process during the forced break, breast milk must be expressed, and the child must be fed with the recommended milk formulas;
• you can start feeding only 36 hours after taking the last hormonal pill.

The names of drugs that are prescribed for lactating women:

• Postinor, Escapel (contain gestagens - progesterone analogues);
• Mifegin, Mifepristone, Agesta, Zhenale (contain antigestagens - substances that block the production of progesterone).

It is very popular with breastfeeding Escapel, as it is taken once within 72-96 hours after sexual intercourse.

Of the antigestagenic drugs, Zhenale, Agesta, Ginepristone are more often preferred. The concentration of the active substance is only 10 mg in one tablet. This amount is quite enough for emergency protection, and adverse side reactions occur much less.

Conventional birth control pills are not suitable for emergency contraception

Despite the fact that today hormonal contraception is the most effective method of protection, the action conventional birth control pills and the means for "fire" contraception are different. Although both are developed on the basis of hormones.


Conventional contraceptive pills are individually selected and used by a woman every day throughout her menstrual cycle. Their action is aimed at suppressing the ovulation process, changing the mucous membrane of the uterus, thickening of cervical mucus. When asked if regular birth control pills will help after intercourse, the answer is unequivocal - no, if the woman did not accept them before.

Emergency contraception with hormonal drugs taken immediately after unprotected sex once, according to the instructions for the drug. The effect of such contraceptives based on egg rejection, a decrease in peristalsis of the fallopian tubes, changes in the endothelium.

Danger of emergency contraception

Emergency contraception is best used only when absolutely necessary, the consequences of such protection can 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 to plan a pregnancy. In case of unforeseen situations, you should not trust the advice, only a specialist will tell you the most effective and safest way to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

• Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy 95% or more if used within five days of intercourse.
• Emergency contraception can be used in the following situations: unprotected sex, doubts about the effectiveness of the contraceptive used, improper use of contraceptives, sexual violence, if no contraceptive was used.
• Emergency contraceptive methods include the use of copper-containing intrauterine contraceptives (IUDs) and emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs).
• Copper IUDs are the most effective form of emergency contraception available.
• The WHO recommended emergency contraceptive pills are ulipristal acetate, levonorgestrel, and combined oral contraceptives (COCs) containing ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel.

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after intercourse. Such methods are recommended to be used within five days after intercourse, but their effectiveness is higher the earlier they are used.

Mechanism of action

Emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation and do not induce abortion. Copper-containing IUDs prevent fertilization by causing chemical changes in the sperm and egg before they touch. Emergency contraception cannot terminate a pregnancy that has occurred or harm a developing embryo.

Who can use emergency contraception?

Any woman or girl of reproductive age may need emergency contraception to avoid unwanted pregnancy. There are no absolute medical contraindications for the use of emergency contraception. There is also no age limit for its use. When using a copper-bearing IUD for emergency purposes, the same eligibility criteria apply as when using it as a permanent remedy.

When can emergency contraception be used?

Emergency contraception can be used in some cases after intercourse. These include:

• cases when no contraceptives were used;
• cases of sexual violence when a woman was not protected by an effective contraceptive method;
• cases when there is reason to believe that the contraceptives used are ineffective due to their unsuccessful or improper use, including for the following reasons:

• condom breakage, slipping, or misuse;
• skipping the combined oral contraceptive pill three or more times in a row
• taking a progestogen-only pill (minipills) more than three hours late after the usual time of taking, or more than 27 hours after the previous pill was taken;
• taking a tablet containing desogestrel (0.75 mg) more than 12 hours late after the usual time of administration, or more than 36 hours after taking the last tablet;
• injection of norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN), containing only a progestogen, more than two weeks late;
• depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) progestogen-only injection more than four weeks late
• the introduction of a combined injection contraceptive (CIC) with a delay of more than seven days;
• displacement, breakage, rupture, or premature removal of the diaphragm or cervical cap;
• a failed attempt to interrupt intercourse (for example, ejaculation in the vagina or on the external genitals);
• incomplete dissolution of the spermicidal tablet or film before intercourse;
• when using methods based on tracking fertility: errors in calculating the period of abstinence, failed withdrawal or unsuccessful application of the barrier method on the fertile days of the cycle;
• expulsion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) or hormonal contraceptive implant.

A woman may be provided with a supply of ECPs in advance so that she can carry them with her in case of need and can take them as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.

• A set of practical recommendations for the use of contraception - in English

Switching to permanent contraception

After using ECPs, a woman or girl can return to or start using a permanent method of contraception. If a copper IUD is used for emergency contraception, then additional contraceptive protection is not required.

After taking levonorgestrel-containing ECPs (LNG) or combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs), women or girls may restart their method of contraception or start using a method, including a copper IUD.

After using ECPs with ulipristal acetate (UPA), women or girls can continue or start using any progestogen-containing product (combined hormonal contraception or progestogen-only contraceptives) on the sixth day after taking UPA. They may be given an IUD with LNG immediately if they can be determined not to be pregnant. They can immediately enter a copper-containing IUD.

Emergency contraceptive methods

There are four methods of emergency contraception:

• Fuel and energy complex containing UPA;
• FEC containing LNG;
• combined oral contraceptive pills;
• copper-containing intrauterine devices.

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs)

• ECP with UPA, taken in a single dose of 30 mg;
• ECPs with LNG are given as a single 1.5 mg dose, or alternatively, LNG is given in two doses of 0.75 mg each 12 hours apart.
• COCs are taken in two doses: one dose of 100 mcg ethinylestradiol plus 0.50 mg of LNG, then 12 hours later a second dose of 100 mcg of ethinyl estradiol plus 0.50 mg of LNG (Yuzpe method).

Efficiency

A meta-analysis of two studies showed that among women using ECPs with UPA, the proportion of pregnant women was 1.2 percent. Studies have found that pregnancy rates for ECPs with LNG are between 1.2 and 2.1 percent. (1) (2) .

Ideally, ECP with UPA, ECP with LNG or COC should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, no later than 120 hours. ECPs with UPA, unlike other ECPs, are more effective in the range from 72 to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse.

Security

Side effects of ECPs are similar to those caused by oral contraceptive pills and include nausea and vomiting, minor irregular vaginal bleeding, and fatigue. Side effects are infrequent, mild, and usually go away without any additional drug treatment.

If vomiting occurs within two hours after taking a dose of the drug, the dose should be repeated. ECPs with LNG or UPA are preferred over COCs because they cause less nausea and vomiting. It is not recommended to deliberately use antiemetics before taking ECPs.

The drugs used for emergency contraception do not harm future fertility. Fertility recovery is not delayed after taking ECPs.

There are no medical contraindications for who can use the ECP.

However, some women, for the above reasons, use ECPs intermittently or use them as their primary method of contraception. In such cases, they need additional counseling on which other more permanent contraceptive options may be more suitable and effective for them.

Frequent and intermittent use of ECPs can harm women with conditions classified under Category 2, 3, or 4 of the medical eligibility criteria for the use of combined hormonal contraceptives and progesterone-only contraceptives. Frequent use of emergency contraception can lead to increased side effects such as menstrual irregularities, although occasional use does not pose any health risks.

It has been found that emergency contraceptive pills are less effective for obese women (with a body mass index over 30 kg / m2), although they do not pose any safety concerns. Obese women cannot be denied access to emergency contraception when they need it.

When counseling on the use of emergency contraceptive pills, it is necessary to talk about the options for using permanent contraceptive methods, and in case of their alleged ineffectiveness, explain the correct procedure for emergency actions.

The WHO recommends a copper IUD as an emergency contraceptive, to be given within five days of unprotected intercourse. This method is especially suitable for women wishing to start using a long-term, highly effective and reversible method of contraception.

Efficiency

A copper-bearing IUD, when inserted within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse, is more than 99 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. It is the most effective form of emergency contraception available. After its introduction, the woman can continue to use the copper-containing HPM as a permanent method of contraception or switch to another method of contraception at her discretion.

Security

Medical eligibility criteria

For the emergency use of a copper IUD, the same criteria apply as for continuous use. Women with medical eligibility criteria for copper IUDs (such as untreated infectious pelvic inflammatory disease, puerperal sepsis, unexplained vaginal bleeding, cervical cancer, or severe thrombocytopenia) should not use them for emergency purposes. In addition, the copper IUD should not be used for emergency contraception after sexual assault, as women may be at significant risk of sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. A copper IUD should not be used for emergency contraception when a woman is already pregnant.

As noted in Medical eligibility criteria for the use of contraceptive methods IUD insertion may further increase the risk of PID in women at increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), although limited evidence suggests that this risk is low. Current algorithms for detecting an increased risk of STIs have insufficient predictive value. The risk of STIs differs depending on individual behavior and local prevalence of these infections. Thus, although many women at increased risk of STIs may generally have an IUD, some women who are extremely likely to have an STI should not have an IUD inserted until appropriate tests and treatment are performed.

• Medical eligibility criteria for contraceptive use - in English

WHO recommendations for provision of emergency contraception

All women and girls at risk of unwanted pregnancies have the right to access emergency contraception, and these methods should routinely be included in all national family planning programs. In addition, emergency contraception should be integrated into health services for populations most at risk of unprotected sex, including the provision of services and care for women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence and living in humanitarian emergencies.

• Promoting Human Rights in Contraception Programs: An Analysis of Existing Quantitative Indicators from a Human Rights Perspective - in English

WHO reaffirms its commitment to scrutinizing emerging evidence through its Continuous New Evidence Revealing (CIRE) System, and to regularly update its recommendations accordingly.

• (1) Can we identify women at risk of pregnancy despite using emergency contraception? Data from randomized trials of ulipristal acetate and levonorgestrel.
  Glasier A, Cameron ST, Blithe D, Scherrer B, Mathe H, Levy D, et al. Contraception. 2011 Oct; 84 (4): 363-7. doi: 10.1016 / j.contraception.2011.02.009. Epub 2011 Apr 2.
• (2) Effect of BMI and body weight on pregnancy rates with LNG as emergency contraception: analysis of four WHO HRP studies.
  Festin MP, Peregoudov A, Seuc A, Kiarie J, Temmerman M. Contraception. 2017 Jan; 95 (1): 50-54. doi: 10.1016 / j.contraception.2016.08.001. Epub 2016 Aug 12.
• 
  Institute of Public Health named after Johns Hopkins Bloomberg / Center for Information Programs and World Health Organization

In a fit of passion, many couples forget about the means of protection, deliberately do not use them or use them incorrectly. Nevertheless, such "games with fire" often lead to unwanted pregnancy. Emergency contraception in this case can help. However, women often suffer from such help.

What if everything happened by accident?

First of all, don't panic. This will only make the situation worse. In addition, you should not immediately run to the bathroom and do douching... Such a practice in 99% of cases will be useless, since the part that gets into the vagina almost instantly ends up in the cervix. And even one lost cell already increases the risk of pregnancy.

Should not resort to others. traditional methods of contraception... Using lemon, potassium permanganate and boric acid will only harm your sexual health and will not protect you from pregnancy.

Usually, used in tablets within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse... After this time, the effectiveness of such protection decreases, and its further use is simply pointless. If you take the drug within the first 12 hours after sex, it will significantly reduce your chance of getting pregnant. Moreover, after a while, taking the drug is often repeated to consolidate the contraceptive effect.

Funds emergency contraception basically suppress the production of hormonesresponsible for ovulation and a woman's ability to conceive. By the way, conception itself occurs in the first 72 hours after intercourse. That is why it is important to take the pill before the end of this period, before pregnancy occurs.

Is emergency contraception always needed?

Not every intercourse ends in conception, even with a complete rejection of contraceptives. The fact is that the emergence of a new life occurs only during the period ovulation - during the release of the egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes. This process is relatively rare and very short: the egg does this only 1 time per month and is in the fallopian tubes about 24 hours... After this time, the egg simply dies.

Since the egg cell lives only a day, in fact, a woman is not able to get pregnant on other days of the menstrual cycle. However, in practice pregnancy can occur when having sex on any day of the cycle, even during menstruation. But the likelihood of conception will be significantly lower than during ovulation.

As a rule, women with an even menstrual cycle do not become pregnant if intercourse occurs in the non-fertile phase (on safe days). This period usually lasts from 1st to 7th and also from 20th to 28th day (provided that the cycle is constant and its duration is 28 days). In this case, at your own peril and risk, you can refuse funds emergency contraception... However, the chances of getting pregnant will be much higher.

What are the means of emergency contraception?

Usually, hormone-containing oral medications are used to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception Are funds based on levonorgestrel (Postinor, Escapel, etc.) and mifepristone (Agesta, Zhenale)... In addition to them, preparations with ulipristal acetatethat also interfere with conception. The mechanisms of action of the listed contraceptives are somewhat different. However, despite this, they are all effective in preventing pregnancy.

In addition to emergency drugs to prevent pregnancy, combined oral contraceptives (COOK). As a rule, COCs are used on an ongoing basis as a contraceptive. But in emergency cases, if the woman has not previously taken them, these funds can be used to prevent conception.

Note that emergency contraception includes not only pills, but also intrauterine device with a contraceptive effect. However, to get the latter, you need to install it within 5 days after intercourse, since then its effectiveness will significantly decrease. However, the spiral is not recommended for nulliparous women. In addition, this method of contraception requires medical intervention.

Danger of emergency contraception

Emergency contraception dangerous for women's health, especially if drugs of this group are used more than 2 times a year. First of all, taking such funds is a serious blow to the hormonal system. Interfering with the balance of hormones emergency contraceptives can lead to a temporary cessation of ovulation, and then even to infertility.

In addition, the imbalance of female hormones when using emergency contraception leads to decreased bone density and early menopause... Due to the frequent use of these drugs, the level of and responsible for bone mineralization decreases. Decrease of these two hormones in a woman's body promotes development , which significantly increases the risk.

In addition, in half of the cases of taking "emergency" contraceptives are noted uterine bleedingsimilar to menstruation. However, women may experience severe pain in the lower abdomen, vomiting, nausea, headaches, and pain in the chest area.

Particular danger presents during breastfeeding. Use of hormonal agents during this period can harm the health of the baby, since part of the drug enters the child's body with mother's milk.

The intrauterine device also has a lot of disadvantages. Its long-term use increases the risk gynecological diseases... In this case, the spiral itself can grow into the uterus and cause many complications. In addition, its installation is not suitable for every woman. And the procedure itself requires careful preparation with tests and diagnostics of the pelvic organs.

Tips for women when using emergency contraceptive pills

In order not to harm yourself when using emergency contraception, you must adhere to the following recommendations.

• Don't use funds emergency contraception more often than once every six months.
• The second emergency contraceptive pill should be taken exactly 12 hours later. Being 2–3 hours late can significantly reduce the contraceptive effect.
• To avoid nausea and vomiting, it is recommended to drink the tablets with milk or plenty of water.
• In the future, take care of methods of barrier contraception (it is better to use condoms, caps, etc.).
• If your period is delayed, you need to visit a doctor, as this may indicate the presence of pregnancy associated with the ineffectiveness of contraceptives.
• Take natural to support hormonal health and bone density. For these purposes, a supplement that preserves, even with prolonged use of COCs and funds, is excellent. emergency contraception.

After taking contraceptive pills, young mothers should suspend breastfeeding for 36 hours so as not to worsen the health of the child.

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