The morning after pill is a form of emergency birth control measure to be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex to avoid pregnancy. These pills are generally regarded as one of the safest modes to stop pregnancy. Hence, it is very essential for you to be aware of the facts about morning after pills.
Ingredients found in the pill:
The active components in the morning after pills are similar to those found in a birth control pill. Some morning after pills contain a hormone known as the levonorgestrel whereas, others contain two hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone prevents the sperm from reaching the egg (implantation), thereby stops pregnancy. Estrogen on the other hand, cytotec Santa Cruz intercepts the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation), thus stops pregnancy.
How does a morning after pill work?
The emergency contraceptive morning after pill has three modes of action and it functions similar to a birth control pill. Its course of action is divided into three steps:
1. It limits the range of ovulation process, i.e. it prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg, which in turn prevents the fertilization process and pregnancy.
2. The morning after pill also alters the normal functioning of the menstrual cycle, thereby delaying the ovulation process and stops pregnancy.
3. It irritates the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and thereby, stops the implantation of the egg in the uterus.
Mode of action of the morning after pill:
The mode of action of the morning after pills depends mainly on the time of consumption
If you take the pill within 24 hours after having an unprotected sex, it will act at a faster rate and will be 98 – 99% effective in preventing implantation of the egg in the uterus (thus terminating pregnancy).
When taken between 24 and 48 hours, it will have a lesser success rate, will be effective about 71% of the time, and will prevent the implantation of the egg in the uterus (terminating pregnancy).
If you consume the morning after pills between 48 and 72 hours after having an unprotected sex, it will be comparatively less effective with a lesser success rate.
Morning after pill availability:
It is readily available and you can easily buy morning after pill from a local pharmacy shop (chemist). It can be obtained without prescription and is generally available for women and girls of 17 ages and older.