What sort of physician needs you to know

By On Jan 29, 2021

By Scott G. Chudnoff, MD, as told to Camille Noe Pagán

Many people think emergency contraception (EC) is an abortion pill, but that’s not how it works. If you are already pregnant and using it, your pregnancy will not end. EC only lowers your chances of getting pregnant if you’ve had unprotected sex or if your birth control has failed in the past few days.

Most forms of emergency contraception contain hormones that prevent your ovary from releasing an egg. (Some examples of hormonal ECs are Plan B, Plan B One-Step, Take Action, and ella.) If you don’t release an egg, sperm won’t be able to fertilize it. That prevents pregnancy. What many women fail to realize, however, is that there is a non-hormonal EC option. It is the Paragard copper IUD (intrauterine device). An IUD is a T-shaped device that is inserted into your uterus through your cervix. Sperm don’t like copper, so they can’t get past Paragard to reach an egg and fertilize it.

The thing about EC is that the sooner you use it, the better it works. This is especially true if you are about to ovulate in your menstrual cycle. Most women are not entirely sure when they will ovulate. This is another reason why it’s best to use emergency contraception as soon as possible after you have had unprotected sex. If you know you are about to ovulate or about to ovulate, ella and Paragard are more effective than other forms of EK. Ella and Paragard are also more effective if it’s been more than 3 days since you had unprotected sex. But they really only work within 5 days. If it’s been more than 5 days, they are much less likely to work.

Ella needs a prescription and you need a doctor to introduce Paragard. However, most EC are available without a prescription. But that doesn’t mean you can find it on the shelves of the pharmacy or grocery store. In many cases you will have to ask a pharmacist to do so.

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It’s always a good idea to speak to your doctor before starting any new medication, including emergency contraception. They may have specific advice that can help. For example, if you are overweight or have a large body, ella is more likely to work than Plan B. However, if you call your doctor’s office, be sure to tell them you are calling about EC so they can get you into it Contact your doctor immediately.

That said, if you’re on vacation, or it’s a bank holiday or weekend, and your doctor isn’t available, don’t wait to take EC. The longer you wait, the higher your chances of getting pregnant. Research also shows that EC is safe for women of all ages. The only real reason not to use it would be if you are already pregnant or have had a negative reaction to EC in the past.

The most common side effects of hormonal EK are nausea and vomiting, while an IUD can cause cramping and bleeding. You may feel a little unwell for a day or two after taking it. That is normal. So is irregular menstrual bleeding afterwards. Your next period could be heavier or lighter than normal. It may also be later than usual, which leads you to believe you may be pregnant. If you are concerned, consider taking a pregnancy test. And trust your gut: if something is wrong, such as B. If you bleed excessively, call your doctor or go to the emergency room.

Emergency contraception is for emergencies. It is not a substitute for birth control. Unfortunately, doctors see patients who rely on EC to avoid pregnancy because, for example, they don’t want to use condoms. However, you are more likely to get pregnant if you rely on EC. Most EC are only 75% effective, while most birth controls are 90% to 98% effective.

Birth control is also usually cheaper than EC. The price for EC may vary depending on where you live. Some over-the-counter ECs can cost as much as $ 10 per pill. However, other types can cost up to $ 90 per pill. Most health insurances cover the full cost of an IUD. The bottom line is, if you do not want to get pregnant you should have a reliable form of birth control that you use consistently. Accidents happen, and emergency contraception is a good option for them. But it’s not for everyday use.

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SOURCE:

Scott G. Chudnoff, MD, chairman, Department of Obstetrics / Gynecology, Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT; Clinical Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Vagelos College for Physicians and Surgeons, New York City.