Emergency pills are a method that is used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse. As the name suggests, “Emergency”, these are oral pills and used only in situations when other birth control methods fail. The situations may arise in the case of rape, breaking or slipping off the condom during intercourse or having unprotected sex, etc.
Our expert Gynecologist and Obstetrician, Dr. Meeta, associated with Tanvir Hospital, Hyderabad says, “It should not be used as a regular form of contraception and is only in case of a dire emergency. It is only a backup,”.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “Emergency contraception (EC) can prevent up to over 95% of pregnancies when taken within 5 days after intercourse,”.
However, the reason it is suggested to be taken only in the case of emergency is as Dr. Meeta tells, “The amount of drug in an emergency pill is almost equivalent to what you may take in a 21 days oral contraceptive pack and its consumption on a regular basis can be harmful”.
How Does It Work?
“The pills are high doses of Progestin (a synthetic form of progesterone). It thickens the cervical mucus, blocking the sperms from joining the eggs. It also decreases the motility of the tube and hence prevents implantation,” she explains. However, one needs to understand that emergency pills work only if taken early. It doesn't affect an already established pregnancy and should not be mistaken as a way of abortion.