Basic Information About the Morning After Pill

The morning after pill is a high dose combination of estrogen and prostigin, which are both female hormones. This is a type of contraception that should be used as a last resort if a women has not used protection during intercourse or where the contraception used has failed. The morning after pill will slow the speed of the eggs traveling through the fallopian tube and will alter the lining of the uterine so that the egg cannot become attached to the uteral wall. The uteral lining will slough off, as it will either take the egg along with it or make the uterus inhospitable for the egg to be implanted. The morning after pill is a last case scenario and should not be used as a regular type of birth control.

How Effective is the Morning After Pill?

The effectiveness of the morning after pill is around 75%. Women that do become pregnant after taking the morning after pill will have a higher risk of harm coming to the fetus. Many physicians recommend a therapeutic abortion if this happens. Even though the morning after pill is very effective it should still not be substituted for more commonly used birth control methods.

Directions when Taking the Morning After Pill

The pill should be taken within 72 hours if when intercourse occurred. But for it to be the most effective the pill should be taken in the first 12 to 14 hours. Generally you are given 2 pills to immediate take and then 2 more that will be taken 12 hours later. If, after taking the pill, you begin to vomit you should take an anti-nausea drug. Before taking the morning after pill you should consult your physician beforehand.

Drawbacks of Taking the Morning After Pill

The high dosages of female hormones can disrupt the menstrual cycle and may cause some uncomfortable and even painful side effects. The morning after pill is not a fun experience. A lot of women who take the pill will get an unset stomach, vomiting, and nausea. Many women that have taken the morning after pill say it is much like the stomach flu, which can last anywhere from 4 to 48 hours. It is not a comfortable experience for a lot of women, but it does take care of the chance of being pregnant.