For women students, professionals, and entrepreneurs who have set goals in times that they must meet, it is natural to resort to contraceptive methods to avoid getting pregnant. Contraception has always been a concern for women of childbearing age, so they have always resorted to any contraceptive method to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Today, the morning-after pill is widely used. Contraceptive pills are sometimes relegated to second place by women because they forget to take them. It is essential to know the advantages of both medications and use them when needed without abusing either of the two. Many questions exist regarding the use of contraceptive methods.
We invite you to read the following FastlyHealarticle in which doubts will be cleared about whether I can take contraceptives after the morning-after pill.
Table of Contents
The morning after pills: effects
The morning-after pill is a contraceptive method that is used in an emergency. It can be ingested up to 72 hours after having risky sexual intercourse to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.
This pill contains levonorgestrel, the synthetic form of progesterone, a hormone that works by preventing or delaying ovulation.
The sooner it is taken, the better. It should not be used as a regular contraceptive method, as it could have severe consequences for women’s health. Its use is specified in those cases where you want to prevent pregnancy after having had unprotected sex in particular situations such as:
- When on that day, the contraceptive pill was not consumed.
- For skipping the corresponding contraceptive pill for that day.
- In cases where you are the victim of a sexual assault.
- In those situations where the condom breaks.
This pill works by delaying or preventing ovulation, not suspending pregnancy.
In the following article, you can learn more about How often to take the morning-after pill.
Birth control pills: effects
Contraceptive pills are hormone-based drugs that must be ingested daily and are 98% effective against unwanted pregnancies safely and straightforwardly.
These pills contain two types of artificial hormones known as estrogen and progestin. Both hormones are produced naturally at the level of the ovaries of women. Birth control pills can contain both hormones or just one like progestin.
They act by inhibiting ovulation. In this way, they prevent fertilization from occurring. Therefore, a pregnancy will not happen, which is the desired effect. At the same time, the hormones contained in the pills impact the cervical mucus, thickening it so that the ovum is prevented from coming into contact with the sperm, thus preventing fertilization.
To get good results when taking birth control pills, specific tips should be followed:
- Try to create a habit, so you don’t forget to take it.
- Keep the medication in your purse or on your nightstand, always at your fingertips.
- Involve the couple to help you remember that you should take it.
- It is essential to take it regularly, and it is the only thing that guarantees its effectiveness.
Side effects of the morning-after pill and birth control
Both pills can generate side effects, among them, we can mention:
- Breakthrough bleeding
- Pain and tenderness of the breasts.
- Nausea and headache.
- Weight gain.
- The appearance of varicose veins.
- Increases the formation of pimples.
- Humor changes.
- Decreased sexual desire
- Circulatory disorders increase the risk of thrombosis.
The appearance of these side effects will depend on the hormonal composition of the pills, both the contraceptive and the day after.
Can I take birth control after the morning after pill?
Contraceptive pills can be taken 24 hours after taking the emergency pill because the latter should not be used as a contraceptive method. Contraceptive pills do have that function. For this reason, they must be consumed again without any problem to continue with their operations.
In cases where other contraceptive methods are used, such as the IUD or injections are given as contraceptive methods, these can be used from the same day that the morning-after pill has been taken.
It is essential to bear in mind that during the seven days after ingesting the morning-after pill, the condom should be used to avoid possible pregnancy when having sexual intercourse.
Recommendations not to forget to take birth control pills
The ideal is to consume the contraceptive pill daily at a previously established time. To achieve high effectiveness of it, it must be taken correctly.
If you forget birth control pills, you must consume them again when you have them in your hand. Meanwhile, it would be best if you used another contraceptive means. In this case, you should use a condom for at least the following week to avoid possible pregnancy. In the next article, you can find out in more detail about What happens if I forget to take the contraceptive pill one day.
It is essential to go to the doctor, in this case, the gynecology specialist, to know the contraceptive method recommended for each woman according to her physical condition. After the gynecological evaluation and complementary tests to rule out systemic diseases, the specialist will proceed to the prescription of the contraceptive method that best suits the patient.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Can I take birth control after the morning after pill? We recommend that you enter our category of Female reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.