Taking emergency contraceptives during menstruation. Is it necessary to use emergency contraception if sex was unprotected during menstruation? What pills will help you not get pregnant after sex?

The site provides background information for informational purposes only. Diagnosis and treatment of diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a specialist. All drugs have contraindications. Consultation with a specialist is required!

Lera asks:

What may be the consequences after taking the drugs? emergency contraception?

After using drugs for emergency contraception, women may develop various consequences related to temporary disruption of the functions of various organs and systems. In addition, the consequences may include some side effects of emergency contraceptive medications.

Side effects of drugs levonorgestrel (Postinor and Escapelle), COCs (Femoden, Regulon, Diane-35, etc.) and mifepristone (Mifepristone, Mifegin, Ru-348, Agesta, Zhenale, Ginepriston) are reflected in the table.

Menstrual dysfunction after emergency contraception. Even a single and rare use of Postinor, Escapel, Agesta and other drugs for postcoital contraception can provoke an irregular menstrual cycle. After taking these medications, your period may begin earlier or later than normal. Menstruation may come 1 to 2 weeks ahead of schedule, and the delay is usually up to 7 days. Such cycle fluctuations after taking emergency contraception do not require treatment.

Menstruation after taking emergency contraception may be unusual, for example, long or short, heavy or scanty, etc.

For several months after taking emergency contraception, a woman may experience slight fluctuations in the regularity of her menstrual cycle. For example, your period may come a few days earlier or later than due.

If, after taking emergency contraceptive medications, a delay in menstruation is observed for more than 7 days, then you should be examined for pregnancy, which could develop despite measures taken to prevent it.

Bloody discharge after emergency contraception. A few days after taking Postinor or Escapel, relatively heavy bleeding from the genital tract may appear, which continues for 1 to 7 days. This bleeding is a normal reaction to taking Postinor or Escapel and does not require special treatment. Quite often such spotting progresses into menstruation. In this case total duration Bleeding may last 10–13 days. Bleeding only requires treatment if it continues for 2 to 3 weeks. Bloody discharge may be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen and poor general health.

Bloody discharge does not always appear after taking Escapel or Postinor. Moreover, the same woman may experience bleeding after one dose of tablets, but after the second use of Postinor or Escapel, there will be a complete absence of bleeding. Both options are normal.

Changes in general health after emergency contraception due to the influence of hormones on all organs and systems. So, after taking emergency contraceptive medications, a woman may experience the following:

Menstruation upon admission birth control pills should begin after finishing the last pill. It should be understood that when using oral contraceptives, menstruation is not full. The appearance of menstrual-like discharge is observed. But the appearance of such secretions does not always occur in a timely manner. During the first three cycles, the body becomes accustomed to the drug. IN in some cases in the presence of hormonal disorders, menstruation is restored after six months.

Your doctor will help you choose the right remedy

Menstruation changes when taking birth control pills. Medications contain varying doses of estrogen hormone. He is responsible for the formation of the first phase of the female cycle. Also during this period, the release of a follicle-stimulating substance is observed. It calls active work one of the ovaries. A small cavity containing the egg appears on the surface of the organ. Midway through the menstrual cycle, estrogen is replaced by luteinizing hormone. It is responsible for the release of the egg from the follicle. This period is called ovulation. It is during ovulation that a woman can become pregnant.

Birth control pills increase your own estrogen levels. Against this background, the follicle-stimulating substance ceases to be produced. Ovulation does not occur. The woman becomes temporarily sterile.

All oral contraceptives contain 21 tablets. After finishing one package, you need to take a week break. During the break, your period should begin. Regardless of whether menstruation has begun or not, the next package begins after a 7-day break. This technique allows you to get an ideal cycle of 28 days.

Modern contraceptives affect not only a woman’s fertility, but also the quality of cervical mucus. Normally, a woman’s vaginal discharge quality changes throughout her entire cycle. Before ovulation, the volume of cervical mucus increases significantly. It becomes transparent and viscous. This quality of discharge allows sperm to quickly overcome the uterine cervix and enter the cavity.

Young married couple should think about the issue of protection in advance

Birth control pills have a negative effect on the secretory glands of the cervical canal. The drug reduces mucus secretion. This process is accompanied by an increase in the viscosity of cervical secretions. In such secretions, male reproductive cells cannot actively move. A large number of sperm are retained in the mucus and die after a while.

The effect of the drug is also based on the amount of active substance. Modern contraceptives contain small doses of the substance. This quality helps to avoid various complications. At high doses, women often experience sudden weight gain, dizziness, and mood swings. It is for this reason that you should visit a doctor before starting oral contraceptives. Self-administration can greatly harm the female reproductive system.

Formation of a cycle during contraception

Menstruation does not begin immediately while taking birth control pills and may have various deviations from the norm. When using hormonal medications, menstruation should begin within three weeks. But the formation of a cycle does not occur immediately. In the first few months, the appearance of discharge may occur before the end of the package. Some patients do not start their periods after the first package. For this reason, a woman should be aware of what problems may arise in the first three cycles of oral contraception. The following possible problems are being considered:

• reduction in the volume of secretions;
• failure of the duration of menstruation;
• absence of menstruation;
• change in premenstrual symptoms.

Most women note a decrease in the volume of discharge. Menstruation becomes scanty, mucous impurities disappear. This change occurs due to a decrease in the level of follicle-stimulating hormone. It is responsible not only for the formation of the follicle, but also for the growth of the endometrial layer of the uterus. This tissue serves as a kind of bed for the fertilized egg. For a normal pregnancy, the tissue must have a thickness of at least 11 mm. If conception does not occur, during menstruation, the remnants of the endometrium are removed from the uterus.

The number of days of the menstrual cycle varies from woman to woman

When the level of follicle-stimulating hormone decreases, the endometrium does not grow to the right size. Its thickness is 3–5 mm. With this thickness, the volume of discharge is significantly reduced.

The duration of menstruation varies from woman to woman. The discharge can last from three to seven days. When taking birth control pills, the duration of menstruation also decreases. This is due to a decrease in the volume of secretions. Menstruation in the first cycles can last 2-3 days. After the body gets used to the tablets, the duration can be 3–5 days.

In some cases, the discharge disappears during the first cycles. Don't be afraid of this. The body needs some time to develop a habit of the drug. If there is sufficient estrogen accumulation, menstruation will return on its own.

What else affects the cycle

IN in rare cases Menstruation does not start immediately after stopping the pills. In a normal cycle, discharge appears the next day after the end of the package. At first, menstruation can begin on any day of the seven-day break. But it is worth knowing that if menstruation began on the last day of the break, taking the pills begins strictly according to the schedule - on the eighth day. Gradually, the duration of the cycle normalizes. The cycle length will be four weeks.

There is also a change premenstrual symptom. A few days before the expected period, women experience a variety of symptoms. There is an increase in breast volume, nagging pain in the lower abdomen, changes in mood, and a slight increase in body weight. These symptoms occur due to progesterone. The hormone affects the activity of the vascular, nervous and lymphatic systems. When taking oral contraceptives, the increase in progesterone stops. The hormone is produced in the corpus luteum, which forms at the site of the burst follicle. Due to the lack of ovulation, progesterone cannot rise. For this reason, premenstrual syndrome disappears. This is not something to be afraid of. The body takes a break from the activity of progesterone.

The listed problems arise in the first 2–3 cycles of therapy. Fine side effects should disappear after getting used to the active substance. If these disturbances do not disappear, you need to inform your gynecologist about this. The doctor must change the drug or method of protection against unwanted pregnancy.

Possible complications when taking the drug

After getting used to it, your period comes on the 22nd day of the cycle. But even with the normalization of the body’s activity, unwanted problems may appear. The following pathologies may occur:

• cessation of ovarian function;
• breakthrough bleeding;
• hormonal imbalance;
• change in the quality of vascular fiber;
• dyspeptic symptoms;
• allergic reactions to active substances;
• change in the thickness of blood fluid;
• onset of pregnancy.

Uncontrolled use of drugs can cause complications

Ovarian failure is diagnosed only after stopping birth control. With this pathology, the absence of ovulation is detected for several cycles. During diagnosis, the doctor discovers the presence of multiple small follicles on the surface of the ovary. In this case, no dominant neoplasm is detected. With such ovaries, pregnancy is impossible. This pathology in last years found in many women. In most cases, organ activity normalizes on its own. If the problem does not disappear, it is necessary to undergo complex hormonal treatment.

Some patients are faced with the fact that menstruation began while taking birth control pills. The volume of discharge gradually increases. They contain no mucus impurities. The color of your period becomes bright red. Such discharge indicates breakthrough bleeding. Pathology is detected in 20% of patients. The problem is associated with disruption of hormones and blood vessels. A sharp surge in progesterone causes endometrial rejection. The walls of the uterus are damaged. Blood begins to leak from damaged vessels. In case of such a complication, you must call an ambulance medical care. Only specialists can competently stop blood loss.

Often, after stopping contraception, women complain of irregular menstrual cycles. In the first few months, your own cycle is restored. If the jumps in the duration of menstruation persist, you need to undergo medical examination. A woman needs to donate blood three times during her cycle. The liquid is tested for the content and amount of a certain hormone. The reason for the surges is a malfunction of a hormone. After the examination, the doctor prescribes additional drug treatment.

Problems also arise with the vascular fiber. A change in the volume of menstruation also occurs when the walls of blood vessels are damaged. Contraceptives cause changes in the elasticity of blood vessels. The fiber becomes less flexible and dense. Against this backdrop, a change is taking place general condition vascular tissue. With long-term use of birth control pills, women may develop varicose veins veins The disease is characterized by the formation of cavities on the vascular fiber. The fluid stagnates in them and leads to the formation of large venous nodes. This pathology can affect any organ.

Additional factors

Some patients complain of the appearance of dyspeptic symptoms during menstruation when taking oral contraceptives. Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea may occur during treatment. Normally, such complications should disappear within three months. If they persist, you need to contact your gynecologist to change the drug.

Some pills lead to an increase in allergic reaction

Like many medicines Birth control pills can cause a variety of allergic reactions. Exacerbation of allergies often occurs during menstruation. To get rid of the problem, you also need to visit a medical center.

Oral contraceptive medications do not always cause thinning of menstrual flow. In some cases, periods become thick and scanty. This pathology develops due to an increase in the level of platelets and leukocytes. The growth of platelets is accompanied by the formation of neoplasms in the vascular lumen. Women taking oral contraceptives often suffer from thrombophlebitis.

The annotation attached to the drug clearly states the rules of administration. Birth control pills must be taken at exactly the same time every day. If a woman forgets to take the medicine, she must take the pill at any time. At the same time, the instructions state that it is necessary to adopt additional protection methods. If a woman does not take it, she needs to closely monitor the onset of her next period. If there is a slight delay, it is recommended to do a test for the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin. A common consequence of this disorder is pregnancy.

How to avoid complications

Birth control pills and periods are interconnected. In order not to get several unwanted complications, you need to follow the following rules:

• choice of drug by a specialist;
• preventive medical examination;
• carefully follow the instructions for use.

It is not recommended to purchase hormonal medications on your own. Incorrect choice the drug may cause undesirable effects. For this reason, the choice of oral contraception should only be made by the attending physician.

During every three cycles you need to undergo a gynecological examination. It will help to timely identify the onset of problems. The doctor can also track how the body reacts to the product used. To reduce the risk of adverse reactions, the patient must follow all recommendations prescribed in the instructions.

When using contraception, you need to monitor the characteristics of your menstruation. Any alarming symptoms require a timely visit to the doctor.

Menstruation after Escapelle may change beyond recognition or pass as usual. It all depends on what phase of the cycle the woman took the pill. And also from the characteristics of his own body. Emergency contraception should not be used several times a month. Serious menstrual irregularities are inevitable. What to expect from your period after taking Escapel?

Instant contraception - Escapelle, is produced in the form of tablets. The active substance is levonorgestrel. Synthetic analogue female hormone progesterone. Each tablet contains a significant proportion of progesterone. For example, in a similar one, this dose is divided into 2 tablets. Escapelle inhibits conception by early stage fertilization. The tablet must be taken within 72 hours after unprotected contact. The effectiveness of the drug depends on the speed of taking the tablet. According to WHO research, the drug can work if you take the pill even 102 hours after sexual intercourse. This statement once again confirms the strong impact of Escapelle on the human body.

Indications for use of the drug are:

• unprotected sexual intercourse;
• failures with a barrier method of contraception;
• rape.

Operating principle of Escapel

The drug has several mechanisms of action on a woman’s menstrual cycle. In this case, the contraceptive ability is 95%. Disruption of the normal operation of systems leads to a failure of the monthly cycle.

Thus, changes in the menstrual cycle directly depend on the phase in which the hormonal drug was taken. Menstruation comes earlier or there is a significant delay, which makes women quite worried.

Failure of the menstrual cycle due to Escapelle

The onset of menstruation excludes pregnancy and allows the woman to breathe easy. The situation is even better if your period comes earlier. But if your period is supposed to start, but it doesn’t, thoughts of an unplanned pregnancy come to mind. When menstruation begins after taking Escapel depends on the processes that took place in the body under its influence. This may happen sooner or later.

Failure in the first phase of the monthly cycle

After taking the pill hormonal drug before ovulation, in half of the cases spotting begins the next day. Women mistake this phenomenon for menstruation and are very surprised when, after 2 weeks, bloody discharge starts again. The presence of discharge after taking Escapel means a hormonal surge, which has become an obstacle to further development eggs. Ovulation has not occurred, which means there will be no pregnancy, menstruation should begin. In most cases they arrive on time or earlier. The discharge is scanty. Because the failure of hormones did not allow the endometrial layer to develop. There is nothing to reject during your period. However, spotting in the middle of the cycle cannot be ruled out while taking a strong hormonal drug.

Failure in the second phase of the menstrual cycle

Discharge after taking Escapel in the second phase of the cycle also leads to hormonal imbalance. Increased level progesterone causes the body to prepare for pregnancy, even if fertilization has not occurred. During this time, an excess layer of endometrium grows. After taking Escapel, the discharge becomes thick, but menstruation does not begin. The delay after hormonal treatment is observed for several days, or even weeks. Some women in the middle of the cycle experience a failure in the form of spotting, followed by a delay of 20 days after taking the pills. The discharge is profuse, bleeding appears, which seriously frightens the woman.

Delay after Escapelle with subsequent bleeding

There is nothing strange about this phenomenon. Heavy periods always appear against the background of hormonal imbalance, with a predominance of progesterone. Escapel tablets significantly increase hormone levels. The body doesn’t care where it came from - naturally or artificially. As ovulation occurred, the endometrial layer began to form. To ensure this process, progesterone must be at high level. The artificial introduction of additional amounts of the hormone leads to excessive growth of the endometrial layer. For example, as happens with endometriosis. When the time comes for menstruation, it is very difficult for the uterus to reject a significant mass, it takes more effort. For this reason, pain increases.

The delay after Escapelle is accompanied by unusual pain in the lower abdomen of a cramping nature. What kind of discharge should come after taking Escapel - copious, similar to bleeding. Due to hormonal imbalance, bleeding can last up to 7 days. Then your periods should stop. If this does not happen, you should immediately seek help from a specialist.

In addition, bleeding after a delay can occur due to pregnancy failure. Tablets do not promise 100% results. A small percentage of pregnancy still remains. Due to hormonal imbalance, pregnancy is not able to develop normally. Initially, there is a delay after emergency contraception. Then bleeding may begin.

When should your period start?

When taking hormonal medications, the monthly cycle always goes wrong. There is nothing dangerous if your period starts a week or a few days early. Next month the body should fully recover. Delay after taking emergency contraception too explainable phenomenon. In this case, the absence of menstrual flow is allowed for about 20 days from the expected date of critical days.

It should be remembered that the drug is allowed to be taken only once per cycle. If a woman takes the pills twice, the consequences can be very different. Bleeding may begin immediately after taking Escapelle again. Significant hormonal imbalance is guaranteed. Recovery female body it will take about 3 months.

Failure of the monthly cycle is always an undesirable phenomenon. Sometimes it takes several months to recover. Before using emergency contraception, you need to weigh everything carefully. The side effects from taking the drug are quite strong. They can last until the next menstruation begins. Nausea, general weakness, headache, dysfunction nervous system, insomnia, mood swings, decreased ability to work, apathy.

One more point should be taken into account: if pregnancy has already occurred, Escapelle is not able to disrupt it, but it is capable of causing harm. If you are absolutely sure that ovulation has passed, there is no point in taking pills.

Most pregnancy protection methods only work if you take care to use them BEFORE sexual intercourse. For example, it makes no sense to start taking birth control pills if sex has already happened. This is no smarter than putting on a condom after the man has ejaculated.

Emergency contraception is a method of preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse has already occurred.

In what cases will emergency contraception help?

Emergency contraception will help avoid unwanted pregnancy in the following situations:

• If you have had unprotected sex
• If during sex and you didn't notice it in time
• If you missed 2 or more

Emergency contraception rules

• Almost any emergency contraceptive drug must be taken no later than 72 hours after sexual intercourse. If more than 3 days have passed since sex, the drug will be ineffective.
• If 3-5 days have passed since sex, then you can contact a gynecologist who will insert an intrauterine device. An intrauterine device is a device that is inserted into the uterine cavity and prevents pregnancy.
• Before taking any emergency contraception, you should consult your gynecologist.
• Some diseases digestive system(eg, Crohn's disease), as well as taking other medications, may reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraception. These medications are listed in the instructions for emergency contraception.

What pills will help you not get pregnant after sex?

There are several drugs that are classified as emergency contraception. We will look at each of them separately.

Postinor

Postinor is the oldest and most famous means of emergency contraception among women. This drug contains a loading dose of the hormone levongestrel, which prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus.

One Postinor tablet contains 750 mcg of levongestrel. In order for the effect of Postinor to be maximum, you need to take 2 tablets 12-16 hours apart.

It is necessary to take the first dose of Postinor in the first 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner you take the first pill, the higher the likelihood that Postinor will help avoid pregnancy. So, on the first day after sex, the drug will work in 95% of cases; if the interval between sexual intercourse and taking Postinor was 24-48 hours, then in 85% of cases, and if more, only in 58% of cases. Taking Postinor later than 72 hours after sexual intercourse will not bring any effect.

12-16 hours after taking the first tablet, you must take the second Postinor tablet. If you vomit a few hours after taking the first or second tablet, you need to take another tablet.

Postinor can cause disruption of the menstrual cycle, early or late arrival of menstruation, chest pain, and spotting. The presence or absence of menstruation (or discharge) after taking Postinor does not indicate its effectiveness.

You can be sure that you are not pregnant only by doing it at least 3.5 weeks after intercourse. You can find out if you are pregnant earlier by taking a test. This can be done as early as 11 days after unprotected sex. Postinor does not distort the results of a pregnancy test or hCG blood test.

If menstruation does not come on time and lasts more than 5 days, take a pregnancy test and consult a gynecologist.

What if Postinor didn't help?

If you have taken Postinor, but pregnancy still occurs, contact your gynecologist. Taking this drug increases your risk, so you need to undergo a test that will show where the fetus is located.

Taking Postinor, as a rule, does not have an adverse effect on the development of the child, so there is no need to terminate the pregnancy (abortion). If you decide to have an abortion, tell your doctor.

Escapelle

ATTENTION: The drug has contraindications. Do not start using this drug without first consulting your doctor.

Escapelle, like Postinor, contains a large dose of the hormone levongestrel, which prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. The only difference is that one Escapel tablet contains 150 mg of levongestrel, and you only need to take this drug once.

Escapelle should be taken no later than 72 hours after sexual intercourse. The greatest effectiveness is observed if the pill is taken on the first day after unprotected sex.

Escapelle may cause nausea or vomiting. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the tablet, you will need to take a repeat dose of Escapelle.

As a result of taking Exapel, there may be a disruption of the menstrual cycle, the appearance of bloody discharge, chest pain. If your period is more than 5 days late, it is recommended to take a pregnancy test. Escapelle does not affect the result of a pregnancy test.

What if Escapelle didn't help?

If pregnancy does occur, contact your gynecologist. The doctor will perform an ultrasound and clarify where the fetus is located. If the pregnancy is proceeding normally, then there is no need to interrupt it, since taking Escapel does not affect the development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy. If you do decide to have an abortion, tell your gynecologist.

How often can I take Postinor and Escapelle?

Postinor and Escapelle are intended for emergency situations and cannot be used for regular contraception. However, these drugs can be taken as many times as needed, even if the need arises a second time during the same menstrual cycle. There are no studies that would prove the unsafety of repeated use of Postinor or Escapel.

If you often need to take Postinor or Escapel, you need to seriously think about which one is right for you.

How many days does Postinor and Escapelle protect against pregnancy?

Postinor and Escapelle act only after sexual intercourse has taken place. Any subsequent unprotected sexual intercourse may cause pregnancy, even if you have recently taken Postinor or Escapelle.

What happens if you take Postinor or Escapelle during pregnancy?

These drugs are ineffective if pregnancy has already occurred. Taking Postinor or Escapel during pregnancy will not lead to its termination.

Gynepriston and Zhenale

ATTENTION: The drug has contraindications. Do not start using this drug without first consulting your doctor.

This modern means emergency contraception, which do not contain hormones, do not cause disruption of the menstrual cycle and others side effects, while being highly efficient.

Both of these drugs contain the same substance in the same dose. The only difference is in the manufacturing company. Ginepristone and Zhenale contain the active ingredient Mifepristone in a dose of 10 mg. Mifepristone, unlike Postinor and Escapel, is not a hormone, but it also prevents pregnancy by preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine cavity.

The Ginepristone or Zhenale tablet should be taken in the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. The sooner you take the drug, the higher its effectiveness will be. If the pill is taken in the first 12 hours after sex, the effectiveness of the drug will be about 98%, if on the first day, then 95%, if later - 85-90%. These drugs are not effective if pregnancy has already occurred.

Important: in order for the drug to be as effective as possible, you should take a Ginepristone or Zhenale tablet 2 hours after meals and do not eat for 2 hours after taking the tablet. Within a week after taking the pill, it is not recommended to take Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

What if Ginepriston or Zhenale didn’t help?

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Emergency contraception, although harmful to the body, still remains very, very popular. In some situations, the use of this kind of drugs is really the only way out of the situation, while in others it causes unjustified harm to the body. Let's look at the most popular emergency contraceptive drugs recommended by gynecologists, how to take them correctly, what side effects they have, what contraindications, etc.

When is emergency contraception needed?

The main reason for taking drugs for this purpose is unprotected sexual intercourse. Yes, despite widespread modern methods contraception and its convenience, some couples forget about it. At the most necessary moment there is no condom at hand or... it just breaks. Should we panic in this case?

First, you should calm down and try to calculate which day of the menstrual cycle is currently underway. After all, emergency contraception is not so safe; pills taken can lead to unpleasant consequences. So, if you have unprotected sexual intercourse in the first or last 7-8 days of the menstrual cycle, and its (menstrual cycle) duration is the classic 28-30 days and it is regular, then most likely you should not take pills, since ovulation (the day when pregnancy may occur) falls in the middle of the menstrual cycle.

Another common question is whether emergency contraception can be used in conjunction with planned contraception?

For example, in the first 14 days of the first cycle of taking oral contraceptives, you should use another method of contraception at the same time, since the first one has not yet fully “taken effect”. Or there was simultaneous use of OCs with antibiotics or other drugs that tend to reduce the effectiveness of contraceptives. In this case, you should not take additional “emergency” medications. In addition to OCs, non-hormonal contraception should be used. Another thing is the use of spermicides (if, for example, a suppository was inserted into the vagina not before sexual intercourse, but after or immediately before sexual intercourse, without waiting the recommended time interval of 5-10 minutes) or condoms (they tend to sometimes tear).

What to do if a woman is breastfeeding? Is emergency contraception necessary in this case?

Of course, it is better to avoid such situations, but if this does happen, you can use medications urgent order. But in this case you will have to postpone breast-feeding for one day, until the drug is completely eliminated from the body.

Emergency contraceptives

Gynecologists offer several possible drug regimens.

The most famous and still popular is postinor. But it is considered an “old generation” drug that has a huge number of side effects. Reception is carried out as follows: within 48 hours (but no later than 72 hours) after sexual intercourse, a woman drinks one tablet, and after 12 hours - another one. Moreover, the earlier the first pill is taken, the higher the likelihood that emergency contraception will take effect, the drugs are taken for a reason, and pregnancy will not occur.

Escapelle is a more modern drug. His distinguishing feature- 1 tablet contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel. In connection with this, there is no need to take a second pill (previous generation emergency contraceptive drugs contained 2 times less of this hormone, which is why a double dose was required). WHO advises giving preference to drugs that contain 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel. Although both have side effects. Reactions different women taking pills is individual. Excapel should be taken no more than 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.

And finally, the third option is to take regular combined oral contraceptives in a larger dosage according to a special regimen. Or take 3 tablets of Silest at a time (or its analogues - Regividon, Miniziston) and after 12 hours take 3 more tablets. Or take 4 tablets of Marvelon, and after 12 hours - the same amount.

The following rule applies to all the drugs described above - if vomiting or diarrhea occurs within 2-3 hours after taking them, it is likely that the tablets have not been fully absorbed and, accordingly, will not have a full effect, which means pregnancy is possible. You need to repeat the procedure.

What happens if pregnancy occurs?

Will this emergency contraception affect her and the health of her unborn child? Doctors agree that an abortion should not be done due to taking drugs; they will not have any effect on the child’s health. Another thing is if the drug is taken already during pregnancy (thus some people try to cause a miscarriage on their own), in which case problems may arise. However, on early The “all or nothing” principle applies, therefore, if a miscarriage did not occur in the early stages, most likely, everything turned out well, or rather, the screenings that the woman will undergo if she wants to continue the pregnancy will show.

Side effects

Emergency contraception should be used only in force majeure situations when there is no other option. It is advisable - no more than 2-3 times a year, and even better - if less often. The most common side effect from emergency contraceptive pills is uterine bleeding, which usually occurs a few days after taking them. But other women, on the contrary, experience delays in their periods and the menstrual cycle is disrupted. Other common side effects are headaches, dizziness, diarrhea and vomiting, and various allergic reactions.

There are other methods of postcoital contraception - effective, and not very effective. The first includes emergency installation intrauterine device(not always feasible in a short time, since you need to undergo a number of tests and undergo an ultrasound; in addition, there are many contraindications to installation). If this is done within 3 days after unprotected sexual intercourse, then even if the egg is fertilized, it most likely will not be able to implant into the wall of the uterus. This option is suitable for women who were already planning to install a spiral. A significant disadvantage is that the cervix may be injured, since only at the beginning of the menstrual cycle the cervix is ​​softened and more adapted to the safe insertion of an IUD.

Other methods are folk, with unproven effectiveness and even dangerous. With their help, women try to provoke the onset of menstruation ahead of schedule, but in fact, they want to cause a miscarriage in the early stages of pregnancy. TO folk methods emergency contraception includes a “food” of sugar with iodine, ascorbic acid, parsley, hot baths, herbs like tansy and much, much more. But we do not recommend using these means.

Always remember that emergency contraception is quite dangerous, but less dangerous than abortion. Choose a reliable method of routine contraception.