Top tips for taking medications. How to take pills correctly so that they work

Sex without protection can happen in the lives of many, but here we will not talk about diseases that can be “picked up”, but about an unplanned pregnancy, when the child is not included in the plans of both partners and panic begins. The first thing to do is to calm down for both, because there are no hopeless situations, and pharmacology suggests the use of birth control pills, which must be taken immediately after the act within 24 hours. They will help to avoid unwanted consequences.

Modern drugs designed to prevent unwanted pregnancies after unprotected intercourse are popular. Some of the most famous means:

• mifepristone.

It is a mistake to think that drugs will be the perfect way to have unprotected sex. These are single use hormonal drugs. They affect the woman's body. Gynecologists say that the maximum allowable intake is two capsules per year. Taking pills by a partner will not affect men's health in any way, but it can deal a critical blow to a woman. To be more precise, not the whole body, but the organs responsible for procreation. Medicines are not kept in home lockers, as they are available at any pharmacy.

Hormonal anti-flight drugs block the process of ovulation, egg implantation. The female body undergoes a severe hormonal failure, so it is better to forget about planning a pregnancy for the next six months. Information is important for both partners if they dream of becoming parents of a healthy baby in the future.

Harm of "emergency" contraceptives

Partners who had joint unprotected intercourse resort to solving the problem without going to the doctors, on their own, fearing that the woman became pregnant. The best option would be to contact a gynecologist in order to save yourself from the need to use harmful chemical components of drugs. When the decision not to see a doctor is considered and invariable, the couple should carefully read the instructions for the drug, learn about side effects. It should be remembered that there are no harmless drugs in this category.

The body of a woman is exposed to negative effects and even danger. There are several reasons:

• Taking birth control can lead to an ectopic pregnancy;
• The use of the drug is often caused by bleeding from the uterus;
• After using a contraceptive, the likelihood of successful conception is sharply reduced.

Contraceptive pills and other express means are harmful and dangerous for young women who have not given birth. The retribution for intercourse without the use of contraceptives is infertility. Before taking pills, the couple should jointly think over and weigh all the pros and cons, and going to the gynecologist will allow you to choose the compounds that cause the least harm, without greatly loosening the female hormonal system.

The list consists of popular drugs, where postinor is the strongest. The effect is comparable to hitting the female reproductive organs with a heavy object. It is known that taking the drug will prevent pregnancy by 95%, but will call into question the subsequent one. In addition, the remaining 5% leave a chance for conception, but how the pregnancy will proceed, what abnormalities may appear in the fetus after a severe hormonal shock. Statistics say that cases where the drug did not help are solved by the doctors' proposal to have an abortion, since complications are likely for both the mother and the child.

Both grandmothers and mothers know about the drug, all those who found the 1980s of the last century. But not everyone knows what price to pay. The tool consists of a mini-course, the reception is carried out for three days, and each package contains two tablets.

Contraception is not suitable for all women, but if you want to use it, it is important to know the date of the last menstruation. In case of menstrual irregularities, delay, other problems associated with critical days, postinor should be abandoned. Doctors say that after taking heavy prolonged bleeding will appear.

Tablets are not intended for women who have problems and complications associated with the gastrointestinal tract, liver, or suffering from diabetes. It is strictly forbidden to accept young people under 16 years old, as well as those who have not given birth.

Contraception is dangerous for those who are sick:

• tuberculosis;
• thrombosis;
• or other inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system;
• Botkin's disease;
• Has problems with high blood pressure;
• Oncological diseases;
• Vascular and heart diseases.

The tool is intended for women who do not have health problems, but the pills taken can seriously undermine it. The consequences of admission are manifested:

• In violation of the menstrual cycle;
• The occurrence of vomiting and nausea;
• headaches;
• The development of an ectopic pregnancy;
• In bleeding from the vagina;
• infertility;
• Sudden fainting, itching, swelling, rash;
• Sharp pain in the lower abdomen;

An agent used in a medical clinic to prevent unwanted pregnancy, abortion, when the period does not exceed six weeks. Contraceptives are not sold in pharmacy chains, they are distributed and sold exclusively by prescription. It is used only in the conditions of the blade, so that the doctor can observe and control the process.

Among the contraindications, problems in women with the liver and kidneys are noted. It is necessary to inform the health worker about smoking or drinking alcohol if the patient often indulges in bad habits. The doctor must know if a woman is using, taking the drug with her is unacceptable. Three weeks later, a woman needs to do an ultrasound to make sure that there is no pregnancy, if she is, they have an abortion. A child cannot be born full-fledged, healthy if the person has taken an agesta.

Side effects are expressed:

• In nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• bleeding;
• fainting;
• In violations of the menstrual cycle.

The contraceptive, which must be taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse, contains levonorgestrel, a component that prevents pregnancy.

• Violation of menstruation;
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
• Apathy, headache.

Tablets that prevent a woman's body from unwanted pregnancy after intercourse without protection, containing the substance mifepristone, are a synthetic steroid drug.

The active substances block the effects of progesterone, the pregnancy hormone. In a couple of hours, an environment arises in the uterine region that is negative in relation to the fertilization process. The drug is highly effective.

Side effects:

• In skin rash, itching;
• Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea;
• An increase in temperature, a violation of the period of menstruation;
• The appearance of bleeding.

Taking a contraceptive on the first day may not lead to side effects, which cannot be said about using it at a later date. There will be uterine bleeding, you will need immediate medical attention.

Mifepristone

The contraceptive is a means for medical abortion. It is permissible to use contraceptive during the first day after intercourse without protective equipment. When it turns out that the pregnancy has come, mifepristone is used to terminate it.

The appointment of the drug in this period excludes independent use, you must consult a doctor. The uterus will gain tone, accompanied by contractile myometrium, which will lead to miscarriage. The fertilized egg will be destroyed due to the action of the drug that blocks progesterone. Contraindications make up a large list:

• Excluded in renal failure;
• With diabetes;
• Suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy;
• With inflammatory processes of the genital organs;
• Anemia, bronchial asthma;
• Infections, bad habits.

Two days after using the remedy, the woman remains under the supervision of a doctor, and after 14 days she returns to the clinic for an additional health check. The drug is dangerous, sometimes it does not have the desired effect, an abortion will be required. The side effects of the early stages and time after an abortion with the use of a medication are identical.

Despite the large list of developed reliable methods of preventing unwanted pregnancy, sometimes, due to her recklessness or sexual abuse, a woman has to resort to emergency contraception. One of them includes birth control pills after unprotected intercourse, the components of which are hormone analogs or hormone-like substances. These drugs should be taken with caution, as they pose a risk to women's health and may cause problems with pregnancy in the future.

• tablets containing levonorgestrel (postinor, escapel);
• tablets based on mifepristone (mifepristone, miropristone, ginepristone, mifegin);
• high-dose (ovidon, non-ovlon, anteovin) and low-dose (yarina, regulon, marvelon, microgynon, femoden, zhanin) monophasic combined oral contraceptives (COCs).

Levonorgestrel preparations

The active substance of postinor and escapel tablets, levonorgestrel, belongs to synthetic progestogens. The mechanism of contraceptive action is realized due to:

• inhibition and suppression of ovulation (release of the egg from the dominant follicle);
• changes in the structure of the inner layer of the uterus, exclusion of the conditions necessary for the successful implantation of a fertilized egg and its further development;
• decrease in peristalsis of the fallopian tubes, slowing down the movement of the egg into the uterus;
• increasing the viscosity of cervical mucus, creating a mechanical obstacle to the advancement of spermatozoa.

The more time has passed since unprotected intercourse, the less effective levonorgestrel pills are in preventing unwanted conception. If the process of implantation of a fertilized egg has already occurred, then their use does not interfere with the normal development of pregnancy. According to statistics, when taking levonorgestrel within 24 hours after sexual intercourse, the effectiveness is 95%, 24-48 hours - 85%, and after 48-72 hours - only 58%.

Important: To prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, in addition to tablets, intrauterine devices are also used, the installation of which for these purposes is performed for 120 hours after intercourse.

Mifepristone-based preparations

Mifeperiston is a synthetic antiprogestogen steroid structure. Tablets based on it have a complex effect:

• disrupt the functioning of the corpus luteum;
• cause exfoliation of the endometrium;
• block the receptors of the main pregnancy hormone progesterone located in the endometrium, which prevents its normal development after implantation of the egg;
• increase the contractile activity of the muscular layer of the uterus, myometrium, by increasing its sensitivity to prostaglandins.

Mifepristone and its analogues cause expulsion of the fetal egg from the uterine cavity in the woman's body and are means of medical abortion in the early stages. After taking, severe bleeding is possible, so they should be used strictly under the supervision of a doctor. To terminate a pregnancy, mifepristone is used for up to 7-9 weeks.

Combined oral contraceptives

After unprotected intercourse, COCs containing estrogen and progestogen, commonly used for planned contraception, are sometimes used. Their efficiency is 75-80%, which is significantly lower than that of Postinor and Escapelle. In addition, when taking high doses of hormones, the likelihood of severe side effects is significantly increased, which is why many doctors prefer levonorgestrel tablets.

The advantage of this group of contraceptive pills is a wide selection of drugs.

Interesting: The use of COCs to prevent pregnancy after intercourse was named the Yuzpe method in honor of the Canadian doctor Albert Yuzpe, who developed this method of contraception in 1977.

Indications for emergency contraception

Emergency contraceptive pills are used to prevent pregnancy after intercourse. The reasons why a woman decides to take such a step are very different:

• doubts about the effectiveness and correctness of the use of contraceptives used;
• rape without the use of contraceptives;
• breaking or slipping of a condom during intercourse;
• displacement of the vaginal diaphragm or cervical cap;
• prolapse of the intrauterine device;
• skipping a COC or delaying its intake by 3-5 hours, and others.

The use of contraceptive pills after sexual intercourse is a last resort, they should be used only when a possible pregnancy poses a threat to the woman's health and is accompanied by high risks of having a handicapped child.

Mode of application

The method of using contraceptive pills depends on the group of drugs and the dosage of the active substance.

Tablets with levonorgestrel are available in dosages of 0.75 mg (Postinor) and 1.5 mg (Escapel). They should be taken regardless of food intake no later than 72 hours after sexual intercourse. Postinor is drunk according to the scheme: the first tablet immediately (the sooner the better) after the act, the second after 12 hours. If vomiting occurs within 3 hours after taking the tablet, an additional one is taken.

Escapel will contain 2 times the dosage of the active substance, so it is used once 1 tablet, the second tablet is taken only if vomiting occurs in response to the first one.

Mifepristone preparations are recommended for use in medical institutions under the supervision of a physician. The dosage for medical abortion is 600 mg once. The tablet is taken orally 1-1.5 hours after a light meal, washed down with a glass of water. To enhance the action, an additional intake of prostaglandins (misoprostol, gynoprost) is sometimes required. To assess the effectiveness of the drug, after a few days, a woman is given an ultrasound of the pelvic organs and the level of the hormone β-hCG is determined.

COCs to prevent unwanted pregnancy, like Postinor, should be taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse. The regimen includes taking the tablets twice with an interval of 12 hours, regardless of meals. The dosage per dose is 100 micrograms of estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) and 500 micrograms of progestogen (desogestrel, levonorgestrel). The number of tablets is calculated for each drug individually, depending on the concentration of hormones.

Important: Prescribing emergency contraceptive pills on your own is very dangerous, as the consequences can be unpredictable. Only a doctor will be able to choose the best remedy for solving this problem, taking into account the age of the patient, her state of health and the period after sexual contact.

Negative effects of birth control pills

It is permissible to take birth control pills after an act without using contraceptives only in emergency cases, no more than once a year. They are considered safer for a woman's health, have fewer complications and an easier rehabilitation period than a full-fledged surgical abortion, but their use is fraught with side effects, deterioration in the general condition, as well as adverse long-term consequences. Contraceptive pills at a certain stage disrupt the normal physiological functioning of the female reproductive system, which in the future can lead to hormonal failure, difficulties in conceiving and bearing a child.

The serious negative consequences that usually occur with the systematic or too frequent use of such contraceptive pills include:

• high risk of ectopic pregnancy;
• uterine bleeding;
• blood smearing between periods;
• infertility (especially when used by young girls);
• increased tendency to thrombosis;
• increased risk of developing Crohn's disease.

After taking the tablets, the following temporary side effects are possible:

• pain and swelling in the mammary glands;
• nausea, vomiting, stool problems;
• headache, dizziness;
• rise in body temperature, chills;
• general weakness;
• exacerbation of chronic inflammatory processes of the organs of the reproductive system;
• pain in the lower abdomen of a aching or cramping character;
• allergic reactions.

Emotional disturbances are often observed.

Contraindications

Birth control pills after intercourse are serious drugs that can harm the body. Their use is contraindicated in women in case of:

• allergic reactions to any of the components of the tablet;
• severe pathologies of the liver, kidneys and biliary tract;
• unformed or unstable menstrual cycle;
• breastfeeding;
• history of ectopic pregnancy;
• tendency to thrombosis;
• adrenal insufficiency;
• disorders of the blood coagulation process.

You can not use drugs in the presence of hormone-dependent tumors and inflammatory processes in the organs of the reproductive system.

Video: Doctors on emergency contraception

An unplanned pregnancy is usually a consequence of the neglect of protective equipment or the use of poor-quality contraceptives. Such a problem requires an immediate solution, since it is easier to eliminate it in the early stages.

Pills for unplanned pregnancy after intercourse are almost as effective as surgical abortion. However, such medications should be used with caution, so it is advisable to learn more about them before use.

Pills from pregnancy after an act in which fertilization of the egg may have occurred should be taken as soon as this fact has been discovered.

There are several types of drugs to end a pregnancy:

Drugs belonging to these species act differently and have different properties. However, the discomfort that occurs after taking is similar, since the action has one direction. Regardless of the type of drug, side effects such as vomiting, headache and abdominal pain cannot be avoided.

Medicines for emergency contraception

Emergency contraception (other names for emergency, emergency) involves the termination of pregnancy using various medications. With emergency contraception, the attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus and further development of the fetus at an early stage are prevented.

The effectiveness of emergency contraception depends on when the funds were taken and on the type of drug itself.

The following are the most effective emergency contraceptives:

The drugs listed above are the best for emergency contraception. If the instructions are followed, the effectiveness is 95%.

Mifepreston preparations

The drugs in the composition, which include mifepreston, are effective even 3 weeks after conception. Mifeprestone acts on the uterus, increasing its tone. As a result, the fertilized egg is rejected by the uterus. Preparations containing mifeprestone have a strong effect on the female body, so they should be used only in the presence of a specialist.

The most popular drugs in this group are:

1. Mifepristone- These are tablets that have a yellowish or greenish tint. In addition to the main component, the composition includes the following substances: cellulose, magnesium stearate, lactose, a mixture of amylose and amylopectin polysaccharides, polyvinyl lyrrolidone. You need to take the tablets 1.5 hours after a small snack, 3 tablets at once. They must be washed down with water. You can buy them in a pharmacy only by prescription, the approximate cost is 1500-3000 rubles.
2. Mifegin- These are tablets with a yellowish tint, having a biconvex shape. On the front side there is an engraving in the form of the numbers 167. The composition also includes silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, cellulose and povidone. Mifegin is the most effective remedy that has few side effects compared to others. Mifegin should be used in the same way as Mifepreston 3 tablets at a time, in the presence of a doctor, after meals (at least 1 hour). The price of the drug ranges from 2500 to 3500 rubles.
3. Genale. The drug Genale is available in the form of yellow or green tablets of a round shape. The composition includes magnesium stearate, a mixture of amylose and amylopectin polysaccharides, povidone and lactose monohydrate. Unlike the drugs listed above, it can be taken on its own in 1 tablet. After the last meal, at least 2 hours should pass. After taking it, you can not eat for 2 hours. It is not recommended to use the drug for people suffering from porphyria, sexually transmitted diseases, anemia, liver and kidney diseases. It is also not recommended to take it together with painkillers, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs. The price of the drug ranges from 300 to 800 rubles.
4. Mytholean Mifepreston Abortion Pills. Mifolean tablets are round and yellowish in color. In addition to mifepreston, the composition also includes a mixture of amylose and amylopectin polysaccharides, magnesium stearate, lactose, hypremelose. Like other medicines containing mifepreston, it should only be used under the supervision of a physician. You need to take 3 tablets at once. The effect of the drug will decrease if it interacts with anti-inflammatory drugs. The approximate price of the mitelian is 2000 rubles.

Products containing mifeprestone are 98% effective. Their effectiveness does not depend on the time of admission. However, you can take such drugs only under the supervision of a doctor.

Termination of pregnancy with birth control pills

Pills from pregnancy after an act that has passed without the use of contraceptives give a result if taken within 3 days. During the first few days, even birth control pills can be used to terminate a pregnancy.

However, these pills are less effective than other drugs because they simply suppress ovulation and increase the production of mucus, which prevents the seed from reaching its target.

There are exceptions among contraceptives that are quite effective:

1. Yarina tablets. The drug is a yellowish tablet in the form of a hexagon. On the front side there is an inscription "DO". The main components are ethinyl estradiol and drospirenone, it also contains a mixture of amylose and amylopectin polysaccharides, lactose, magnesium stearate and povidone. The cost ranges from 1000 to 1500 rubles.
2. Logest Available in the form of round white tablets. The main components of the composition are ethinyl estradiol and gestodene, the composition also includes starch, lactose monohydrate, polyvidone, calcium carbonate, sucrose, talc, glycol wax. Price 700-2500 r.
3. Novinet- tablets with a yellowish tinge, having a convex round shape. Both sides are engraved. The main active ingredients are ethinylestradiol and desogestrel. Also included are: silicon dioxide, stearic acid, povidone, tocopherol, a mixture of amylose polysaccharides and amylopectin, dye. The cost ranges from 500 to 1000 rubles. The price depends on the number of tablets in the package and the region of sale.
4. Silest- tablets with a blue tint, having a round shape with modified edges and engraved on both sides. The main elements in the composition are norgestimate and ethinylestradiol. In addition, the composition includes a mixture of amylose and amylopectin polysaccharides, a compound of magnesium and stearic acid, and a dye. Approximate price - 500 rubles.

Abortion pills (birth control) can only be used 1 to 3 days after intercourse. You need to drink 2-5 tablets at once. The same amount you need to drink after 12 hours. Birth control pills very often fail, their effectiveness is 80%, even if taken immediately, so it is better to use other drugs.

The effectiveness of drugs for unwanted pregnancy

Medical termination of pregnancy is much simpler than surgical. However, pills do not always bring results.

The effectiveness of medicines depends on the following factors:

1. age;
2. physical data (weight, height);
3. health;
4. menstrual cycle.

Most of all, the effectiveness is affected by the amount of time elapsed after sexual contact. If you use emergency contraception immediately after contact or after a short time, the effectiveness is 99%. With each passing hour and day, the percentage of success decreases.

The most effective emergency contraceptive drugs are drugs that include mifepristone:

1. Mifegin.
2. Mytholian.
3. Mifeprex.
4. Pencrofton.

It is forbidden to use them on your own.

Contraindications

Pills from pregnancy after an act that took place without the use of contraceptives should not be taken without familiarizing yourself with the composition and contraindications, since they affect not only the uterus and the egg, but completely the entire body. Some people are advised against terminating a pregnancy with pills. This can lead to childlessness.

It is prohibited to perform a medical abortion procedure:

• with a long gestation period or ectopic pregnancy;
• with violations in the liver, kidneys;
• with anemia, blood leukemia, etc.;
• with inflammation of the pelvic organs;
• people with asthma;
• women with tumors of the breast and uterus;
• with venereal diseases;
• with hormonal failure.
• in the event of an allergic reaction to the components that are indicated in the composition.

These are general contraindications that apply to all means for terminating a pregnancy in the early stages. Some drugs have additional contraindications, so it is important to fully study the characteristics of the selected drug before use.

Side effects

The termination of pregnancy with the use of medicines always causes discomfort, since pregnancy, even at an early stage, changes the female body, and the elimination of the seed is an external intervention. There are almost always side effects after emergency contraception.

It could be:

Such discomfort should not cause concern for a woman, as they are natural and pass quickly. But sometimes (when taken incorrectly) more serious side effects can occur.

For example:

• uterine bleeding;
• unbearable pain in the abdomen;
• infertility (with frequent use of tablets).

Where can I buy abortion pills and can I use them myself

You can buy emergency contraceptives only at a pharmacy. Medicines will be issued only if there is a doctor's prescription. Most emergency contraceptives can be taken on their own, but only after carefully studying the characteristics and instructions.

However, it is advisable not to perform abortions on your own, since complications often occur after an incorrectly performed procedure. Emergency contraceptives, which include mifepreston, can only be used in a medical facility, under the supervision of a specialist.

How to check if the abortion was successful

It is impossible to verify the success of the procedure on your own. You can find out if the procedure was successful only by conducting a follow-up ultrasound or by visiting a specialist. Only a specialist in this field will be able to determine the result of taking drugs, for this he needs to study the condition of the woman's reproductive organs.

A woman should choose means for terminating a pregnancy, taking into account the characteristics of the body and contraindications.

Pregnancy pills will help prevent the development of a fertilized egg after an unprotected intercourse, however, they can also cause serious complications.

Before the procedure, it is necessary to consult with a gynecologist who will help you choose the drug. Pregnancy, even in the early stages, is a serious change in the body, and carrying out the procedure without due care often leads to infertility.

Article formatting: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about pregnancy pills after the act

Emergency contraception:

Types of contraception:

Situations when you need to take pills in order not to get pregnant often happen in the lives of women. Unprotected sexual intercourse with an accidental relationship, rape, a broken condom can lead to an unwanted pregnancy. To prevent conception at home, there are emergency contraceptives that can be easily purchased without a prescription at any pharmacy. These drugs are highly effective and easy to use.

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Action of emergency contraceptives

Medications that inhibit ovulation and help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex are called emergency contraceptives. Their name already suggests that they are intended for exceptional cases and cannot serve as a permanent contraceptive.

The mechanism of action of such drugs is carried out in two directions:

1. 1. The active substance in the composition of the product does not allow the egg to leave the ovary. Spermatozoa that are in the uterine cavity die after some time, and fertilization does not occur.
2. 2. The drug makes the mucus in the cervix thicker, which prevents sperm from entering the organ.

The dual action makes emergency oral contraceptives effective in preventing conception and allows them to be used in all cases where there is a risk of unwanted pregnancy.

The active ingredient in these drugs is levonorgestrel or mifepristone.

Admission deadlines

To achieve maximum effectiveness, the drug with levonorgestrel or mifepristone should be used as soon as possible after unprotected sexual contact. If within three days it was not possible to take an emergency contraceptive, its further use is unjustified.

In the case of attachment of a fertilized egg to the wall of the uterus, these medicines are useless - they do not have an abortive effect.

The best result of the action of the contraceptive is possible when it enters the body during the first 24 hours after intercourse (95%). Over the next 48 hours, the efficiency decreases to 85%, during another 72 hours there is a decrease in efficiency to 60%. Drinkemergency contraceptive pills can be taken at any time of the day, regardless of meals.

Emergency contraceptives are not considered safe drugs: their use more than 3 times during the year leads to hormonal imbalance in the body, menstrual irregularities, and infertility. For continuous use, women who have regular sex should use combined oral contraceptives or use barrier methods.



Medicines based on levonorgestrel

Drugs that are very popular among women are drugs based on levonorgestrel (synthetic progestogen) - Postinor and Escapel.



Postinor

Postinor is available in a package containing two tablets, one of which is taken no later than 3 days after unprotected contact, the second - 12 hours later. The medicine is suitable for preventing unplanned pregnancy in the following situations:



• casual sexual contact;
• rape;
• skipping another pill of a combined contraceptive;
• breaking or slipping of a condom;
• displacement of the contraceptive cap or cervical diaphragm;
• exit from the vagina of a spermicidal cream or suppository.

Postinor can be used in any phase of the menstrual cycle. It is not recommended to use the remedy during repeated sexual contact without protection during one monthly cycle due to the risk of uterine bleeding.

If pregnancy has already occurred, it is not advisable to take the drug.

For adolescent girls, the medication is prohibited, its use is justified only in case of rape, after consulting a gynecologist and a thorough medical examination.

Contraindications

Despite the high contraceptive efficacy, Postinor has many disadvantages. It should not be used frequently in order to avoid malfunction of the ovaries and disruption of the monthly cycle.

One hundred percent effectiveness from taking is observed only in women with regular menstruation - with an unstable cycle, the effect decreases, and pregnancy becomes possible. The effect of the drug is weakened by diseases of the digestive system, Crohn's disease, the simultaneous use of tetracycline and ampicillin antibiotics, PPIs.

Postinor should not be taken by women who have had hepatitis of any type, who have acute and chronic pathologies of the liver and gallbladder. During lactation, the feeding of the child for the duration of the drug is stopped for at least 12 hours.

Escapelle



Escapel is a modern analogue of Postinor. Levonorgestrel, the content of which is twice as high in Escapel, reduces the risk of fertilization by taking just one tablet. It is necessary to drink it within 72 hours after sexual contact, the maximum result is guaranteed within the first day.

If the drug has entered the body when conception has already occurred, you can not worry about the condition of the fetus: levonorgestrel in the dose contained in the drug does not cause negative consequences for the development of the child and does not have an abortive effect.

To minimize the adverse effects of levonorgestrel, Escapel is acceptable for use no more than once every 3-6 months.

Features of admission and side effects

Escapel has the same contraindications as Postinor. The simultaneous use of both drugs is not allowed. If diarrhea or vomiting occurs within 3 hours after drinking the pill, the guarantee of the absence of fertilization is reduced, so an additional dose must be taken.

Effects of levonorgestrel use may occur with both agents. They consist in:

• the development of an ectopic pregnancy;
• uterine bleeding;
• the risk of infertility, especially if levonorgestrel is taken by a young nulliparous girl;
• the risk of thrombosis.

Side effects develop infrequently, manifested by headache, nausea, itchy skin rashes, breast swelling, pain in the lower abdomen.



Mifepristone-based preparations

Emergency contraceptives based on mifepristone (Ginepristone, Genale) are highly effective in preventing unplanned pregnancy. To the two directions of the mechanism of action of levonorgestrel, these drugs add one more - they do not allow the fertilized egg to gain a foothold in the uterine cavity, that is, they have a slight abortive effect.

Taking the medicine is most effective in the first 72 hours after intimacy without the use of contraceptive methods. The required dose is one tablet.

Mifepristone is prohibited during pregnancy due to a negative effect on the fetus, therefore, if the drug did not work and conception occurred, a medical abortion is indicated. Breastfeeding after taking Genale or Ginepriston is stopped for two weeks.

The effectiveness of drugs decreases with alcohol. Within two hours before and after taking the pill, you must refrain from eating.

Some women use mifepristone-based products - Agesta, Miropristone, Mifeprex - as emergency contraceptives, thereby putting their health at significant risk. These drugs cannot be recommended for self-administration, since they are intended for medical termination of an onset pregnancy and are allowed only in a hospital under medical supervision.

Mifeprex is contraindicated in women over 35 years of age, especially those who smoke, have kidney and liver diseases, infections and inflammation of the genital area, anemia, uterine fibroids.

Postcoital contraception is considered to be the prevention of pregnancy, which is highly undesirable. The need to take these funds arises if a woman forgot to take an oral contraceptive on time or a condom broke during intercourse. Often, postcoital contraception is used after sexual intercourse of a violent nature.

It should be noted that pregnancy prevention is only possible if the woman has taken an emergency contraceptive within 3 days of unprotected intercourse.

Levonorgestrel birth control pills

Emergency contraceptives that contain levonorgestrel in their composition prevent the fertilization of the egg. After taking the pill, ovulation is delayed due to cervical mucus, which prevents sperm from entering the egg.

Will these birth control pills help after the act, depends on the time that has passed since sexual contact:

• up to 24 hours - 95% efficiency;
• 25 - 48 hours - efficiency 85%;
• 49 - 72 hours - 58% efficiency.

Consider which birth control pills based on levonorgestrel are by far the most effective:

Name	How long to take	Instruction	A photo
within 72 hours	The use of emergency contraceptive is effective within 3 days. It should be noted that the package contains 2 tablets, respectively, the emergency contraceptive must be taken twice. The second tablet should be taken 12 hours after taking the first. Without chewing, drink clean water.
within 72 hours	Within 3 days after sex (unprotected), one tablet must be taken. If there are side effects in the form of vomiting, a second dose of the drug is necessary.

Emergency contraception based on mifepristone

Thanks to the active substance (mifepristone), ovulation becomes impossible if you take the pill within 3 days of unprotected intercourse. In the event that more than 3 days have passed, mifepristone (increased dosage) is used as an early termination of pregnancy (up to 9 weeks).

Name	How long does it take to take	Instruction	A photo
Ginepriston	within 72 hours	1 tablet is taken with a small amount of water.
Jenale	within 72 hours	It is preferable to take this drug 2 hours before a meal, provided that at least 2 hours have passed since the last meal.
Agesta	within 72 hours	1 tablet is taken with a small amount of water. It is preferable to take this drug 2 hours before a meal, provided that at least 2 hours have passed since the last meal.

Combined oral contraceptives for emergency contraception (Yuzpe method)

The Yuzpe method is an emergency contraception based on oral contraceptives.

To effectively prevent unwanted pregnancy, it is recommended to take the pills within 24 hours after unprotected intercourse. This method is characterized by taking the following medications:

• Marvelon.
• Microgenon
• Regulon.
• Rigevidon.
• Minisiston.

You can also use low-dose hormonal drugs such as Novinet, Logest or Mercilon. In this case, it is necessary to take 5 tablets twice with an interval of 12 hours.

Emergency contraception during lactation

Women who are breastfeeding can use two types of emergency contraception:

Non-hormonal emergency contraceptives

There are two types of emergency contraception:

1. hormonal drugs;
2. non-hormonal drugs.

Drugs that do not contain hormones include medications based on mifepristone. Let's list their names:

1. Genale;
2. Ginepriston;
3. Agesta.

Preparations based on this active substance do not violate the hormonal background. It is believed that mifepristone-based tablets are more effective than levonorgestrel tablets.

Another advantage of non-hormonal drugs is the lower percentage of side effects.

What contraceptives are the safest

The Yuzpe method is considered the safest emergency contraception. Low-dose medications have a minimum of side effects. If you follow the conditions for taking pills, the effectiveness of this method is 90%.

These contraceptives can be purchased without a prescription.

It should be noted that vaginal contraceptives are not suitable for emergency contraception due to low efficiency.

Cost of emergency contraceptives

How much do pills cost to prevent unwanted pregnancy? Consider a list of pills and their average cost:

Please note that the price of drugs is an average. The cost may vary depending on where you live.

When is postcoital contraception acceptable?

Use of emergency contraceptives is possible if pregnancy is highly undesirable:

1. Less than 2 years have passed since the caesarean section.
2. Sexual intercourse was violent.
3. Past attempts to get pregnant ended in fetal failure or ectopic pregnancy.

Before taking a serious medication, its contraindications should be considered:

• Age up to 18 years.
• Existing pregnancy.
• Menstrual disorders.
• Malignant tumors.

If you experience spotting after taking an emergency contraceptive, contact your gynecologist immediately.

If after 2 weeks after using the contraceptive, menstruation has not come on time, it is also necessary to consult a doctor.