| Morning After/Emergency Pill |
The best way to protect yourself from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases is by using condoms, lubricant and using some form of regular contraception. The correct term for the Morning-After-Pill is the emergency pill which is a special type of oral contraceptive pill which can be used in ‘emergency’ situations such as when someone has had unprotected sex, had sex when they weren’t using regular contraception (or forgotten to take the pill) or used a condom that broke during sex.
When Do You Take It?
The sooner you organise it the better. To avoid pregnancy you need to take the first dose within 120 hours or 5 days of having unprotected sex (but it is best not to leave it till the last minute). There are different types of emergency pills.
- Pre-packaged pills called Postinor-2 which has two single tablets that contain progestogen (the hormone usually found in your regular type of contraceptive pill). This type can be bought over the counter from a pharmacy and costs about $20 - $30. The first tablet is taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex and the second one exactly 12 hours later or if the second dose is due at some strange time like 3am then you can take them both together. You may experience some bleeding a few days later and if you are worried talk to your doctor. This method has been reported to prevent seven out of eight expected pregnancies and without too many side-effects.
- Your doctor can also make up a similar dosage of hormones by using the mini-pill (such as Microlut or Microval) but you have to take a lot of them as the dose of hormone in each pill is so low. The first dose of twenty-five (25) of pills needs to be taken as soon as possible and then 12 hours later another twenty-five (25). While it might seem like a hassle taking so many pills, it can be a cheaper option.
- Another method which is really only to be used if none of the others are available and it can have side effects such as nausea and vomiting is taking four different contraceptive pills – Microgynon 30, Levlen Ed, Nordette or Monofeme as soon as possible and then another four pills (4), 12 hours later.
What Does The Emergency Pill Do?
- Delays ovulation (when the egg is released by the girl’s ovaries).
- Can stop a fertilised egg from settling in the womb if you have already ovulated.
To further reduce the chances of pregnancy, and even if you have taken the emergency pill you should continue to use condoms or keep taking the pill (if you are already taking it) as normal until your next period just in case ovulation still occurs.
Avoid Stress Plan Ahead!
While the emergency pill can be effective it is not to be used as a regular form of contraception and is exactly as the name says an emergency intervention. So reduce the stress and worry and talk to your doctor or a health worker at your local women’s health or youth health centre about your options for contraception. Also it is important not to be complacent about sexually transmitted diseases and contraception will not deal with this – using condoms are your best option, but make sure you know how to use them properly.
Health workers are very used to talking about these issues and understand that you might feel embarrassed about discussing these things. Another issue for you might be that you feel awkward about suggesting that you use condoms when you are about to have sex and you may want to also talk about ways you can do this with your health worker. They can probably give you some tips of things to say.
For more information the Family Planning Association have a great website www.fpahealth.org.au or call their free and confidential Healthline on 1300 658 886 for advice.