Emergency postcoital contraception will be effective only in the first few days after sexual intercourse until the egg is released from the ovary and fertilized by sperm. It should be borne in mind that emergency contraceptives cannot be considered as a regular way to prevent unplanned conception.
Emergency contraception is a method of preventing unplanned pregnancy in the event of ineffective use of permanent contraception or unprotected intimacy. Also, postcoital contraceptives can be used in cases of sexual violence or in case of improper use of contraceptives.
The action of postcoital contraception is aimed at delaying or suppressing ovulation, blastocyst implantation, egg transport and disruption of the fertilization process.
Indications for the use of emergency contraception
Medicines and emergency contraception can be used in the following situations:
- Failure to use a contraceptive drug or device;
- Physical violence (rape);
- Incorrect use of contraception, which includes: taking a pill that contains only progestogen later than 3 hours after intimacy;
- skipping oral combined contraception three or more times in a row;
- an injection of norethisterone enanthate, which contains only a progestogen, given later than 2 weeks;
- condom slipping, breaking or misuse;
- a monthly injection of combined contraceptives given more than 7 days later;
- late insertion, displacement or early removal of a transdermal patch or hormonal ring;
- rupture, breakage, displacement or early removal of the cervical cap or diaphragm;
- interrupted sexual intercourse - ejaculation on the external genitalia or in the vagina;
- incomplete dissolution of spermicidal film or tablet before intimacy;
- unsuccessful abstinence, incorrect calculation of the safe period for sexual intercourse when using the periodic abstinence method or using barrier contraceptives on fertile days of the menstrual cycle;
- choice of hormonal contraceptive implant or intrauterine contraceptive device.
Ectopic pregnancy after emergency contraception
There is no direct relationship between the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy and the use of emergency contraception. Such complications develop due to the physiological characteristics of the female body.
Taking emergency contraceptive pills based on gestagens or mifepristone can even reduce the likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy, since their goal is to prevent fertilization of the egg.
There is a small chance that an emergency contraceptive (drug or IUD) will not work. In case of delay of menstruation, it is worth conducting a standard pregnancy test. The test often shows a negative result for an ectopic pregnancy. If you are experiencing intense pain in the lower abdomen, an urgent visit to the doctor is necessary. Patients who have already had an ectopic pregnancy or tubal surgery are at greater risk of becoming pregnant with such complications.
Emergency contraception - rules of use
When using postcoital contraceptives to prevent unplanned conception, several rules should be taken into account and followed:
- Almost all emergency contraceptives should be taken no later than 72 hours after unprotected intimacy. If more than 3 days have passed since sexual contact, the drug will be ineffective;
- If 3-5 days have passed after sexual intercourse, the patient can consult a gynecologist who will install an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). An intrauterine device is a special device that is inserted into the uterine cavity to prevent pregnancy;
- Before taking any contraceptive, you should consult your doctor.
In addition, it should be taken into account that some diseases of the urinary and digestive systems, as well as taking other medications, can not only reduce the effective effect of postcoital contraception, but also provoke the development of adverse complications. A consultation with a gynecologist, as well as a series of laboratory tests and clinical studies will help determine the presence of possible restrictions and select the most optimal option for an emergency contraceptive.
Side effects
Emergency contraceptives against unwanted pregnancy are not completely safe. The use of hormone medications or their antagonists (mifepristone) can cause side effects such as:
- spotting and pain in the uterine area
- itching and hives
- loose stool
- headaches
- general weakness of the body.
The intrauterine device causes discomfort in the lower abdomen, which goes away after a few days. The contraceptive may move or be spontaneously rejected by the uterus if its walls are damaged. If this happens, you should seek help from the hospital. The first 20 days from the moment the IUD is inserted into the uterus, the body’s vulnerability to various infections increases.
Contraindications to the use of emergency contraception
Postcoital contraception is not recommended for use in the presence of the following pathological disorders and abnormalities in the body:
- Chronic and acute forms of renal failure;
- Diseases of the biliary tract, liver;
- Glucose malabsorption, lactase deficiency and lactose intolerance;
- Allergic reactions to the components of the drug;
- Crohn's disease;
- Jaundice;
- Porphyria (pigment metabolism disorder);
- Anemia (anemia);
- Pathologies of hemostasis;
- Severe extragenital disease.
Also, the use of emergency contraceptives is contraindicated in pregnant women, adolescents under 16 years of age, patients during lactation, as well as during long-term treatment with glucocorticosteroid drugs and anticoagulants.
Emergency contraception methods
Modern medicine has two most common methods of postcoital contraception: copper-containing intrauterine devices and pills for emergency pregnancy prevention.
Medicines for emergency contraception
According to experts, the most common and effective postcoital contraceptive is considered to be tablets containing levonorgestrel, a synthetic progesterone. It is recommended to take such drugs in a single dose (1.5 mg) for 120 hours (five days) after unprotected intimacy. You can also take levonorgestrel in two doses of 0.75 mg with an interval of 12 hours. The developed scheme is 50-95% effective in preventing unplanned conception. The sooner the drug is taken after sexual intercourse, the higher its effectiveness.
The mechanism of action of progesterone is to delay or prevent ovulation. The drug may also prevent the fertilization of an egg by affecting the cervical mucus or the ability of seminal fluid to bind to the egg. Since levonorgestrel tablets are ineffective once implantation begins, they do not promote abortion.
Hormonal contraceptives containing progesterone are quite safe and do not pose a threat to future fertility (ability to bear children). Side effects after their use occur rarely and are usually minor.
Emergency contraception in the form of levonorgestrel tablets is not recommended for pregnant women. If a pregnant woman accidentally takes such a drug, it will not harm the health of the fetus or the expectant mother. Hormonal pills should be taken in urgent cases. Since the systematic use of progesterone preparations significantly reduces their effectiveness, such tablets are unsuitable for frequent use. In addition, the constant use of postcoital contraceptives can provoke changes in the menstrual cycle (heavy, scanty, frequent, infrequent, painful menstruation).
Copper-containing intrauterine contraceptives
Emergency contraception in the form of a copper-containing intrauterine contraceptive can be inserted into the uterine cavity for 3-5 days after unprotected intimacy. The mechanism of action of this method is to change the composition of the environment, which damages the seminal fluid and egg until they can come into contact. If the intrauterine contraceptive is inserted into the uterine cavity in a timely manner, this will prevent unwanted pregnancy by 99%. This method of emergency contraception is the most effective way to prevent unwanted conception. After installation of an intrauterine contraceptive, a woman can use it in the future as permanent contraception. If desired, it can be changed to another contraceptive method in the future.
An intrauterine copper-containing contraceptive is a safe form of postcoital contraceptive. When using it, the likelihood of perforation, expulsion and infection is minimal. The only contraindication to the use of this method is existing pregnancy.
Effective folk remedies
If it is not possible to use medications, you can try to prevent pregnancy using folk remedies at home. The success rate of such methods is much lower than with emergency contraception. For them to work, they must act quickly and apply within the next 24 hours.
Taking a shower, hot bath
Thorough washing of the genitals after intercourse is the most common way to protect against unwanted pregnancy. It will not be possible to wash all the male semen from the inside, but this will help reduce the risk of conception.
Taking a hot shower can help reduce your risk of getting pregnant.
Another method is to take a hot bath immediately after intercourse. High temperatures have a negative impact on sperm and prevent them from reaching their goal. Too hot water is unacceptable: it can seriously harm a woman.
Douching with vinegar or lemon solution
An easy way to prevent pregnancy by flushing out the vagina and neutralizing all the sperm remaining inside. For douching, you can use any weak acid: vinegar, lemon juice, potassium permanganate.
To prepare the solution, mix the acid with cold, clean water.
The amount of acid per liter of liquid depends on the specific product, it can be:
- 2 tablespoons table vinegar;
- juice of 1 lemon;
- 1 teaspoon of lactic acid;
- 1 teaspoon 2% potassium permanganate;
- 1 tablespoon boric acid.
Douching with boric acid disinfects sperm
You can also use 10 tablets of furatsilin. After mixing, the solution must be shaken thoroughly, and then douching immediately. The faster it is performed, the lower the likelihood of pregnancy.
Water lily root decoction
Water lily infusion is a popular local anti-pregnancy method.
It is prepared according to the following recipe:
- Grind 50 g of dry yellow water lily root.
- Boil a liter of clean water, pour into a saucepan and put on fire.
- Pour water lily root into water, stir, cook for 15 minutes.
- Strain the infusion, let it cool, strain again.
A popular contraceptive folk remedy is a decoction of water lily root.
After the infusion has cooled and been filtered, you need to wash your vagina with it. It is preferable to divide the broth into 2 or 3 parts and wash it off at intervals of 6 hours.
Side effects after using postcoital contraceptives
It should be borne in mind that taking a loading dose of hormonal drugs in almost all cases leads to various side effects and disorders. In most patients, taking emergency contraceptives causes nausea or vomiting. To prevent such complications, the tablets should be taken with meals. If vomiting occurs two hours after taking the drug, then the medicine has time to enter the blood and will act accordingly. If the stomach contents erupt earlier than after 2 hours, then the patient should take the pills again. Headaches, dizziness, allergic reactions and diarrhea may also occur. The next menstruation after taking emergency contraception may be more abundant and occur earlier than expected. If you experience severe bleeding, sharp, nagging pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen, you should consult a doctor to find out the causes of pathological abnormalities.
Every woman should consider the following point: emergency contraception is a one-time (one-time) method of contraception. This method of birth control cannot be used regularly. Repeated use of postcoital contraceptives reduces the effectiveness of preventing unwanted conception. The maximum frequency of using this method is no more than 2-3 times a year.
Our clinic employs professional and qualified doctors who will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis of the body and, based on the results of the study, select the most optimal option for post-coital contraception. Also, if necessary, experienced doctors will carry out high-quality and prompt installation of the intrauterine device.
Video: Emergency contraception
Attention!
This article is posted for informational purposes only and under no circumstances constitutes scientific material or medical advice and should not serve as a substitute for an in-person consultation with a professional physician.
For diagnostics, diagnosis and treatment, contact qualified doctors! Number of reads: 1593 Date of publication: 09/20/2017
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Question answer
Will birth control help after fertilization?
Contraceptive drugs are intended to protect against conception. If this has already happened, birth control pills become ineffective. The only remedy that can help after fertilization is Mifepristone and drugs based on it: Zhenale, Ginepristone. In the early stages, they are able to terminate the pregnancy.
Candles as emergency contraception
It is impossible to prevent conception with the help of suppositories after sexual intercourse. There are no postcoital contraceptives in this format: there are contraceptive suppositories used immediately before intercourse, and antiseptic drugs for the prevention of diseases of the genitourinary system.
Suppositories will not help prevent pregnancy after intercourse
Using products from the first group can prevent conception: such suppositories produce acids and kill sperm inside the vagina, but their use after sex will not give any result. The second group of drugs does not have a contraceptive effect.
