Both the Morning After (MA) and Birth Control (BC) pill may be taboo among most people in our country but its necessary to educate yourself on what both are for and the side effects that come and the side effects that come along with it. The morning after pill is a “concentrated” version of the BC pill that acts as an emergency contraceptive, in short, it is a drug that disrupts ovulation or fertilization that is taken after after sex in the event a condom is not used or tore during ejaculation.
WHAT DOES THE MORNING AFTER PILL DO
A girl can take the pill up tor three days or 72 hours after intercourse to prevent herself from getting pregnant. A woman does not immediately conceive after having unprotected sex, because the biological process of becoming pregnant takes up to five days after that.
The pills contain the same hormones as regular birth control pills and work in the same way. They can prevent or delay ovulation, which is when your ovaries release an egg. If the pills are taken before the sperm meets the egg, they may interfere with the process of fertilising the egg, for instance making it harder for the egg or the sperm to travel up the reproductive tract.
Morning-after pills contain hormones to stop ovaries releasing eggs. They also make the womb slippery so fertilised eggs can’t stick to it and develop into a baby. Do note that emergency contraceptive pills are not the same as the abortion pill. Emergency pills do not work if pregnancy has already started. ‘
If you take it:
1. Within the first 24 hours then the pill then it is 95% effective
2. Between 24 – 48 hours then the pill is 85% effective
3. Between 48 – 72 hours then the pill is 58% effective
WHERE TO BUY THEM
Two of the most commonly used emergency contraceptive pills are Preven, Postinor and Plan B. You can find them at pharmacies behind the counter. They’re not openly sold on shelves because as they are prescribed drugs, of course it can get quite embarrassing so think twice before engaging in unprotected sex in the future!
THE DOWNSIDE
The MA pill should only be used in case of emergencies but it isn’t as reliable as BC pills or condoms plus it doesn’t protect you from sexually transmitted diseases like HIV. You may also experience nausea and vomiting, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness. Some may also suffer from lower abdominal pains or tenderness in their breasts but all these effects should stop in a day or two.
The Morning After Pill does not cause weight gain but for birth control pill, yes. It is written on the box and leaflet of the pill that weight gain is a possible side effect.
In some women, the hormones in birth control pills can cause unexpected bleeding. This is generally not cause for alarm and should stop by the time you have your next period. Your next period may also come early or late. However, check with your gynaecologist if you experience these symptoms, just to be sure that nothing is wrong.
HOW DO I TAKE THE MORNING AFTER PILL
Morning After pills are sold in a set of two. You take the first one by downing it with water and the second pill 12 hours later.
HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?
They cost from RM3 onwards depending on the brand you go for.
There is no need to visit a doctor unless you have severe side effects or you feel that it didn’t work and may be pregnant. Of course, we don’t encourage the frequent use or relying on Morning After pills because like any other hormonal drug, they will affect your body’s natural system and it doesn’t protect you from STDs. Abstinence is and always will be the best contraceptive but if you must answer nature’s call, use a condom!