️Emergency Contraception – Pills

Emergency contraception is used in the following cases:
– Not using birth control method.
– Missing two to three birth control pills of the cycle.
– Failure of birth control method used like a hole in the male condom.

Emergency contraception types:
– Emergency contraceptive pill
– IUD

What is the emergency contraceptive pill:
It is an emergency method to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, or the birth control method used has failed.
It is not effective as regular contraception, so you should use one of regular birth control methods.

Emergency contraception pills available in KSA:
Postinor2, Levonorgestrel .75 mg

Navela, Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg

How it works:
It does not end a pregnancy, it delays or prevents ovulation.

Do not take emergency contraception pills if you are:
– Breastfeeding: better not to breastfeed for a week after taking the pills.
– Allergic to any of the pills components.
– You are suspecting being pregnant.

When to take the pill?
For full effectiveness, take the pill as soon as possible after the unprotected intercourse within 72 hours (3 days). The sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.

Your period may delay for one week after talking the pill. And if it delays for 3 to 4 weeks, do a pregnancy test.

If you vomit after taking the pill, talk to your doctor to take another dose or use another method like IUD.

You can not take the emergency pill before the unprotected intercourse.

Effectiveness:
It is less effective in case of obesity.
If taken within 24 hours, it is 95% effective.
If taken within 72 hours, it is 89% effective.

Side effects:
– Dizziness and fatigue
– Nausea and vomiting
– Headache
– Lower abdomen pain
– Spotting or heavier period