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Emergency Contraception
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Emergency Contraception

What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception is a treatment to prevent pregnancy in adolescent girls and adult women who have had unprotected sex in the past 72 hours. Emergency contraception uses a high dose of birth control pills. This method is sometimes called the "Morning After Pill."

How does emergency contraception work?

Emergency contraception gives a strong, short burst of hormones. This breaks the hormonal cycle your body would need to get pregnant.

How is emergency contraception taken?

You should consult your Gynaec for emergency contraception. 

How effective is emergency contraception?

It is important to remember that emergency contraception does not always work. It does not guarantee that pregnancy is prevented. Emergency contraception decreases your risk of pregnancy by 75-88%. The risk of getting pregnant depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you have sex and which method you use. You are most likely to get pregnant during ovulation, when the ovary releases a mature egg. Ovulation usually happens 14 days after your period starts. The best way to prevent pregnancy is to use a regular birth control method, such as condoms, or not have sexual intercourse.

Where can I get emergency contraception?

You can only get emergency contraception from a health care provider. Call Dr. Kiran Mehndiratta’s Clinic at (91-11) 26683388 if you have any questions about Emergency Contraception or if you need to find out where you can go to get Emergency Contraception. Before you take emergency contraception, your provider will need to know:

  • the first day of your last menstrual period

  • the exact date and time of unprotected sex

  • types of birth control you have used in the past, and when

  • if you have ever had high blood pressure, migraine headaches, blood clots in your legs or lungs, a stroke, or any serious medical problems

Once your health care provider has all of this information, he/she will be able to decide if you should take emergency contraception. You cannot take emergency contraception if you are already pregnant.

Are there any side effects of emergency contraception?

Yes. Possible side effects of emergency contraception hormones include nausea and vomiting, breast tenderness, dizziness, or headache. The emergency contraception pill can also be taken with food to help prevent nausea.

Can I use emergency contraception as my regular form of birth control?

Emergency contraception is not meant to be your regular method of birth control. It is meant to be a one-time emergency treatment. Emergency contraception can be used when a condom breaks, when your diaphragm or cervical cap gets moved, after you are sexually assaulted, or any time unprotected sex does occur. You should not use emergency contraception as your only protection against pregnancy, because this method is much less effective than other forms. Also, emergency contraception does not protect against STD's.

When can I expect my next menstrual period after I have taken emergency contraception?

Your period should start within 7 to 9 days after treatment. Your next period may start a little early or a few days later than expected.

What if I have problems after I have taken emergency contraception?

If you have any problems after you take emergency contraception, you can contact your health care provider. You definitely should contact your health care provider if you experience any of the following:

  • do not get your period

  • severe abdominal (belly) pain

  • spotting (small amount of blood on your underwear in between your menstrual periods)

  • very light menstrual period

  • dizziness

Do I need to do anything else to prevent pregnancy after I have taken emergency contraception?

Yes. You should see your health care provider for a follow-up appointment two weeks after treatment to discuss effective contraceptive methods and to get a pregnancy test. Also, avoid intercourse or use a barrier method, such as a condom, consistently and correctly until the end of your next menstrual period. As soon as possible, begin using a method of birth control that you can use regularly. Some health care providers will want you to start birth control pills right away after the 2 doses of Emergency Contraception. Find out more on Birth Control Methods so you can start thinking about what would be best for you.


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