1.
Used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex/ contraceptive failure – condom slippage/ breakage or if you forgot to take your regular oral contraceptive pills for 2 or more days at a go.

2.
To be used “only” as an EMERGENCY MEASURE and not as a replacement for regular contraceptives (condoms/ combined oral contraceptive pills (COCPs)/ intrauterine devices)

3.
Effectiveness – reduces the risk of getting pregnant by up to 89% if you take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex. NOT 100% EFFECTIVE (you can still become pregnant after taking it) AND NOT AS EFFECTIVE AS REGULAR CONTRACEPTIVE.

4.
The sooner you take it after unprotected sex, the better.

 

 

5.
Often exploited – Available as over the counter medication and readily available.

6.
Strong hormonal preparation – The dose of the active hormone- Levonorgestrel is 1.5 mg in a morning after pill which is 10 times its dose in a regular 21 days COCPs.

7.
Like any medicine it can have side effects, the most common ones being- nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and bloating, fatigue,
headache, dizziness, breast heaviness and tenderness, menstrual changes and irregular/ unexpected vaginal bleeding.

8.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the tablet then you should repeat the dose.

9.
Future fertility scares:  The pill doesn’t affect future fertility rates in the long term but can cause a temporary delay in conception.

10.
It might or might not prevent pregnancy if you have unprotected intercourse after taking the pill. Hence, take the pill after unprotected sex/ contraceptive failure and not vice versa.