The morning-after pill is the last resort to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. If no other protection methods were used, there are many cases in which this emergency contraceptive is used. Its use can generate tremendous anxiety by not knowing whether or not it affects the body.
Have you taken the morning-after pill, and you don’t know if it has been effective? If this is your case, you can continue reading this FastlyHealarticle, in which we explain how to tell if the morning-after pill worked or not and how this emergency contraceptive method works.
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What is the morning-after pill?
The morning-after pill is an emergency contraceptive. It is used to prevent an unwanted pregnancy if you have sex without using another protection method.
It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV or syphilis, which is why they use of condoms is so important.
On the other hand, it should not be the only protection method you use, nor should you take this medication multiple times. It significantly alters female body function and has less chance of being practical than condoms or oral contraceptives. The following article explains how often you can take the morning-after pill.
Therefore, if you are not using another contraceptive method, it would be vital that you consult your trusted specialist to choose what is best for you.
How the morning after pill works
This is levonorgestrel 1.5 mg. This hormonal medication affects the female reproductive cycle, which is also customarily regulated by hormones (estrogen and progesterone). Thus, the functioning of this complex system is altered when a high dose of hormones is taken. It should not be used regularly, only in a particular case.
The morning after pill works in two ways :
- Inhibitors delay ovulation.
- It prevents the female egg from being fertilized by sperm.
This is how you manage to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. This effect is achieved if the morning-after pill is taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. It is best within 24 hours and at most up to 72 hours later.
This is the case in up to 88% of cases. It is not 100% effective, as there are many instances in which it does not work commonly. Other methods such as the IUD, condom, and oral contraceptives are much more effective and safer for the body.
It is also important to note that the contraceptive method usually used should continue to be used. In the case of hormonal contraceptive pills, these must be continued, and, in addition, a barrier protection method (such as the condom) must be added until the period arrives because when ovulation is altered, it can arrive at any unexpected date. If it has other unprotected sex, pregnancy may occur.
How to know if the morning after pill worked correctly
The morning-after pill is expected to prevent unwanted pregnancy, but how do you know if it had that effect? The only way to know is to wait until the period comes.
Usually, the rule drops on the same date it should have if the pill had not been taken the next day. It can also be advanced several days or lower up to 7 days later. For example, if menstruation should drop on December 10, it will likely settle on the same 10 a few days before, or it can be expected until December 17.
If more than seven days have passed since the period should have come down and it did not, it is advisable to perform a pregnancy test since that possibility exists.
Unfortunately, there is no way to remove the anxiety of knowing if the morning after pill worked or not.
If you do not understand how to use this medication, if you have doubts about whether you should use it, likewise if you are not sure if the morning after pill worked and you think you may be pregnant, you should consult your doctor. Confidence.
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 How to know if the morning after pill worked, we recommend that you enter our Sexuality category.
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.