Home » Cognitive » Emergency contraceptive pills after unprotected intercourse. What methods of contraception are there? Which means are better

Emergency contraceptive pills after unprotected intercourse. What methods of contraception are there? Which means are better

In a woman’s life, unprotected intimacy occurs, after which it is necessary emergency contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy. IN gynecological practice apply pills against unwanted pregnancy,folk remedies similar action, spirals.

Many women know about these methods, but not everyone knows how to take them correctly. Most women are sure that emergency birth control pills , are a panacea for unwanted pregnancy. The use of these remedies is obvious, but so is the harm. Therefore, when using them, it is worth assessing the pros and cons of the action, assessing the degree of risk and providing possible dangerous consequences.

Indications for emergency contraception

For about thirty years, emergency contraception methods have been studied by doctors, many of them have proven their effectiveness and their tolerability by women. Their gynecologists recommended after sexual intercourse, the consequences of which can lead to unwanted pregnancy, namely the following situations:

there was no planned protection;
there has been a shift in barrier contraceptive devices;
the condom broke;
oral contraceptives have not been taken for at least two days;
long-acting injection was not given;
the spermicidal tablet did not have time to dissolve;
ejaculation (during interruption of sexual intercourse) partially occurred in the vagina;
incorrect definition of the “safe” period if a calendar method of protection was used;
rape occurred.

Types of emergency contraception

If a woman does not plan pregnancy and childbirth, she should know types of emergency contraception. These include:

intrauterine devices;
traditional methods;
hormonal drugs, pills.

Timely emergency postcoital contraception will help avoid fertilization of the egg. It is enough to have an idea of the features of each of the possible protection options and be able to use them.

Intrauterine devices

There are reliable methods of contraception that are not medicinal. You can protect a woman from pregnancy that she does not plan with the help. This procedure is performed by a doctor within 5 days after intimacy, during which there were no means of protection.

The mechanical device provides a protective effect of 99%. IUD for emergency contraception used for women with children, victims of rape, and teenage girls.

Traditional methods

An alternative to traditional (medical) methods are folk remedies for emergency contraception. It is worth noting that they do not provide a guaranteed result. They are used when there is no opportunity to use medications.

The most effective among “grandmother’s recipes” are:

Douching using a weak solution of fresh lemon juice. To do this, mix 200 ml of water with the juice of one large lemon and wash the vagina. To avoid disruption of the microflora, after douching, the mucous membranes must be thoroughly rinsed.
Douching with a very weak solution of potassium permanganate. The protective effect of this procedure is about 60%, but this method must be used extremely carefully. If the concentration of the solution is incorrect, it can only cause harm. The solution is prepared in a ratio of 1:18. After douching, the genitals should be washed using mild soap for intimate hygiene.
A slice of peeled lemon inserted into the vagina immediately after intimacy is a dangerous but effective method. Under the influence of acid, emergency contraception will occur in a few seconds. Next, the pulp is removed, and the genitals should be washed with warm water and soap.
Dangerous methods of protection include inserting a small piece of laundry soap into the vagina. After 15-20 seconds it is removed, the mucous membranes must be rinsed well. After this, it is advisable to treat them with a special moisturizer.
For immediate protection, use an aspirin tablet. The effectiveness of its protection is about 60%.

All of the above methods of emergency intervention have a certain effect only within 5-7 minutes after intercourse. They disrupt the acid-base balance in the vagina, which has a detrimental effect on sperm, they lose the ability to fertilize.

The same destructive effect traditional methods also have an effect on the mucous membranes of the female genital organs. You can use them extremely rarely, and do not combine them for protection purposes. After using them, you need to contact your gynecologist and talk about contraception performed in a similar way.

Emergency contraception using hormonal pills

Emergency contraception is effective with the help of hormonal drugs. They contain hormones that have a suppressive effect on the maturation of the egg, inhibit the penetration of the fertilized egg into the uterus, and reject it from the uterus, disrupting the implantation process.

Valid hormonal pills differently. They cannot be used constantly; these are emergency contraceptive drugs.

If there is a risk of becoming pregnant after sexual intercourse, it is important take the pills right away after him. Their effectiveness in the first hours of admission is 94%, by the end of the third day the probability of protecting everything 57% . When resorting to emergency contraception using pills, you need to take into account the rules of administration and possible contraindications.

Applying hormonal remedies at home, You need to know that there are drug options:

Only 1 tablet is needed to protect against possible pregnancy;
The drug is required to be taken according to the regimen for 3 days, up to 6 tablets.

The choice of emergency contraceptive measures depends on the length of time after the act.

All contraceptive pills after an act that may have consequences must be taken strictly according to the instructions, taking into account the individual characteristics of the body and possible complications.

Taking a hormonal contraceptive during the day

There are medicines, which will provide reliable protection if taken immediately after intimacy or within twelve hours after it. List of names of such drugs:

Ovidon – 2 tablets;
Non-Ovlon – 2 tablets;
Ministison – 3 tablets;
Rigevidon – 3 tablets;
Marvelon – 4 tablets.

Reliably protect tablets that contain an artificial analogue of progesterone - levonorgestrel. This medicines Eskinor F, Escapelle, Postinor. The action of these drugs is based on decreased egg activity after ovulation,reducing the speed of movement of the fallopian tubes.

The egg cell under the influence of these hormonal contraceptives dies before reaching the uterine cavity. Even if the egg has penetrated the uterus, the mucous membrane is rejected and it is not able to implant.

Protection after the act for 72 hours

This group includes combined oral medications that contain a high concentration of hormones (estrogen, gestagen). They should be used according to the schedule in a certain dosage. They cause the endometrium to slough and cause bleeding.

Non-hormonal pills as a means of protection

Emergency contraception is possible using the latest drugs that do not contain hormones. The active ingredient is mifepristone. These drugs are: Zhenale, Mifolian, Mifetin, Ginepristone.

Their action is based on changing the inner lining of the uterus and increasing its contractile activity. As a result of these processes, the fertilized egg is unable to implant and is rejected. It is enough to drink one contraceptive capsule at any phase of the cycle.

Emergency contraception during lactation

After childbirth female reproductive system does not recover immediately. With the onset of lactation, she works in a special mode; contraception during lactation is difficult due to the absence of menstruation. To avoid unwanted pregnancy, which is not uncommon during breastfeeding, emergency contraception methods are used.

A reliable method of contraception when breastfeeding is introduction intrauterine device . There is no need to stop feeding the newborn for this. It is important to install a contraceptive no later than the fifth day after unprotected sex; it will continue to protect the woman in the future.

At breastfeeding can be used hormonal agents for contraception after intercourse, but in this case you should adhere to strict rules:

after taking the first protective tablet, feeding stops for 36 hours;
in order not to disrupt the lactation process during a forced break, breast milk should be expressed and the baby should be fed with recommended milk formulas;
You can start feeding only 36 hours after taking the last hormonal pill.

Names of drugs prescribed to breastfeeding women:

Postinor, Escapel (contain gestagens - analogues of progesterone);
Mifegin, Mifepristone, Agesta, Zhenale (contain antigestagens - substances that block the production of progesterone).

Very popular during breastfeeding Escapelle, as it is taken once within 72-96 hours after sexual intercourse has occurred.

Of the antigestagenic drugs, preference is often given to Zhenale, Ageste, and Ginepristone. The concentration of the active substance is only 10 mg in one tablet. This amount is quite sufficient for emergency protection, and significantly fewer adverse side reactions occur.

Regular birth control pills are not suitable for emergency contraception

Despite the fact that today hormonal contraception is the most effective method protection, action regular birth control pills and the means for “fire” contraception are different. Although both are developed on the basis of hormones.

Conventional birth control pills are selected individually and are used by a woman every day throughout her menstrual cycle. Their action is aimed at suppressing the ovulation process, changing the uterine lining, and thickening cervical mucus. When asked whether regular birth control pills will help after intercourse, the answer is clear - no, if the woman has not taken them before.

Emergency contraception using hormonal drugs taken immediately after unprotected sex once, according to the instructions for the drug. The effect of such contraceptives based on egg rejection decreased peristalsis of the fallopian tubes, changes in the endothelium.

The dangers of emergency contraception

Emergency contraception is best used only in cases of extreme necessity; the consequences of such protection may become irreversible:

ectopic pregnancy;
bleeding;
infertility;
thrombus formation;
Crohn's disease.

These drugs have many side effects:

soreness of the mammary glands;
nausea, vomiting;
severe headaches;
pain in the lower abdomen;
increased emotionality;
allergic reactions.

Modern medicine helps a woman plan a pregnancy. In case of unforeseen situations, you should not trust advice; only a specialist will tell you the most effective and safest way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

Safe sex is not a serious problem nowadays - medicine offers a huge number of contraceptives that can protect a couple from both STDs and unwanted pregnancy.

However, in reality, everything looks completely different, and almost every woman has unprotected sexual intercourse at least once in her life. Should you panic in such a situation? Of course not, because all the same modern medications will help protect against its unpleasant consequences.

What to do after unprotected sexual intercourse?

“Accidents” during sexual intercourse can be different - for example, a condom breaks or slips off, a woman forgot to take birth control, or partners, in a fit of passion, did not think about contraception at all. So, what can a woman do after coitus has already occurred?

Immediately take a vertical position - under the influence of gravity, the seed will flow out of the vagina without reaching the egg. True, you cannot rely solely on this method, because it is too unreliable.
Within 10 minutes after PA, you need to wash yourself well with warm water and soap - this will help reduce the risk of pregnancy by about 10%. In addition, you can syringe with some acidic solution (vinegar, lemon juice or citric acid), which will help create an environment in the vagina that is unfavorable for sperm. True, such solutions should be handled very carefully - there is a risk of severely burning the mucous membrane.
If a woman is taking oral contraceptives and has forgotten to take the next pill, she should read the instructions for the drug - it usually indicates the procedure to be followed in such a situation.
If sexual intercourse occurred with an unreliable or casual partner, you need to treat the genitals as quickly as possible by special means, which will protect the body from STDs. One of these remedies is Miramistin, but with this question it is best to contact a venereologist.

Most effective way post-coital protection is the so-called emergency (fire, emergency, etc.) contraception, which involves alternate taking of special medications, which today can be found in almost any pharmacy.

So, what are these drugs, and how do they protect a woman from unwanted pregnancy?

In what cases does a woman need emergency
contraception?

It is very important to note that emergency contraception cannot be called a safe, much less healthy, measure.

That is why it should be used only in cases where the onset of pregnancy will almost certainly entail its termination: for example, after rape, unprotected sexual intercourse with an unfamiliar partner, or if during such sexual intercourse there was a misfire with one of the contraceptives.

In addition, we must not forget that such drugs cannot protect a woman from sexually transmitted infections, so additional measures will have to be taken to prevent them.

Types of emergency contraceptives

Today there are several types of emergency contraceptives, each of which has its own characteristics. These include:

Estrogens. These are the world's first emergency contraceptives, which began to be used in the middle of the last century. They are highly effective, but have many side effects, including nausea, vomiting, blood clots and more. If, despite taking the drugs, pregnancy did occur, it was recommended to terminate it, since they have a strong teratogenic effect on the fetus.
Gestagens. The action of gestagens is based on the suppression of the secretion of gonadotropic hormones, thereby preventing ovulation. In addition, they prevent the implantation of the egg, but if this process has already begun, these drugs are powerless and cannot lead to abortion. Taking gestogens (in particular, levonorgestrel, which is a derivative of testosterone) in the first 72 hours after PA reduces the likelihood of fertilization by at least 60%.
Combined drugs. These drugs, whose action is based on the complex effects of estrogen and progestogen, are the most common emergency contraceptives. Most often, such drugs are taken according to the so-called Yuzpe method, and its effectiveness is about 75%, but 20% of women experience side effects in the form of vomiting, headaches, and menstrual irregularities.
Antigonadotropins. Drugs that can suppress the production of gonadotropins by the pituitary gland, which causes ovulation to be inhibited and the endometrium to atrophy. If we talk about side effects, the likelihood of their occurrence is greater than when taking gestagens, but less than when using combination drugs according to the Yuzpe method.
Antiprogestins. Antiprogestins are drugs whose active substance is mifepristone, often used for medical termination of pregnancy. It causes delayed ovulation or endometrial atrophy, which prevents the egg from implanting. Side effects when taking these drugs also occur, but they go away quite quickly; In addition, antiprogestins have virtually no contraindications and are often recommended for women who are prohibited from using other emergency contraceptives.

Contraceptives after unprotected intercourse

"Postinor". One of the oldest and most effective emergency contraceptives, which has a gestagenic effect, prevents ovulation and fertilization. The first tablet is taken within 48 hours (no later than 72) after unprotected PA, and the second - 12 hours after the first.
"Escapelle". Modern drug, the action of which is based on the hormone levonorgestrel, which is highly effective in the first 72 hours after sexual intercourse. If, within three hours after taking the drug, the woman begins to experience diarrhea or vomiting, the dose will need to be repeated.
"Danazol". One of the most popular antigonadotropins, which is recommended to be taken 600 mg within 72 hours after coitus.
"Plan B" It is a progestin contraceptive and also contains levonorgestrel, which prevents ovulation and egg implantation. The first dose should be taken within the first 48 hours, the second after 12.
"Ogestrel", "Ovral". The peculiarity of these drugs, which contain progestin and estrogen, is that they can cause a strong gag reflex, so treatment should be started with an antiemetic. The course consists of 4 tablets: the first two are taken in the first 72 hours after “dangerous” sexual intercourse (not earlier than 2 hours after the antiemetic), and two more - 12 hours after the first.
"Gynepristone." A steroidal antigestagenic drug that can cause delayed ovulation and implantation or endometrial atrophy (depending on the phase of the cycle). The tablet should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected PA, and you should abstain from food two hours before and two hours after taking it.
"Preven." A combined contraceptive, the course of which consists of 4 tablets - they must be taken at intervals of 12 hours, and the first one should be taken in the first 72 hours after sexual intercourse.

What are the dangers of emergency contraceptives?

To put it simply, the essence of such contraception is that the female body is exposed to huge doses of hormones, creating special conditions under which pregnancy becomes impossible.

That is, such drugs actually provoke hormonal disruption, and not a single doctor can predict exactly how long it will last.

Ideally, this condition lasts no more than one menstrual cycle, but sometimes subsequent menstruation is disrupted - in such cases, the woman should immediately consult a doctor.

In conclusion, it can be said that if all known factors are taken into account, then emergency contraceptives are preferable to any abortion (medical or surgical), but they cannot in any case be used as a permanent method to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Pregnancy is the most joyful and wonderful period of life for a woman. However, not for everyone. In some cases, conception comes as a surprise and forces the fairer sex to accept emergency measures. In this article we will talk about what pills there are against pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. You will learn how these drugs are used and whether they can be used regularly. It is also worth mentioning what they are. The price of such drugs and their name will be indicated below.

A little anatomy: how conception occurs

First, it’s worth finding out how conception occurs, as a result of which a child can be born. On average, once a month the average woman experiences hormonal changes in her body. The production of estrogen is replaced by progesterone, and an egg is released from the follicle. If sexual intercourse occurs at this moment, pregnancy may occur. Conception can also occur if sperm enters the woman’s body a few days before or after the rupture of the follicle.

Immediately after ovulation, under the influence of progesterone, active preparation of the endometrium begins. The layer thickens and becomes looser. In this way, the body prepares to accept the fertilized female gamete. If conception has taken place, the fertilized egg descends to the reproductive organ through the fallopian tube within a few days. Once in the uterus, the embryo is securely attached to the endometrial layer. This is where it will develop in the following months if the pregnancy continues.

How can you interrupt an existing conception?

Currently, there are many ways to stop the development of an embryo. It is worth noting that in this case it is better not to engage in amateur activities. Otherwise, you may end up with serious health problems.

One of the most popular methods of terminating a pregnancy is curettage or vacuum aspiration. During the procedure, the doctor removes the fertilized egg and part of the endometrium from the uterus. This manipulation is carried out up to 12 weeks of embryo development.

It can also be done with medication. In this case, a prerequisite is a delay in menstruation of no more than forty days. After taking certain medications, a woman’s endometrium and fertilized egg are shed and menstruation begins.

There are also special emergency methods of contraception. In this case, the drug is taken several hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. Due to the action of the drugs, the woman begins to experience hormonal changes and menstrual bleeding occurs.

Emergency methods of contraception

There are several that allow you to terminate a pregnancy even before the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. Pills against pregnancy after unprotected intercourse have different effects and methods of use. Remember that these medications should not be used as permanent protection against unwanted conception. Anti-pregnancy pills should only be used after unprotected intercourse in case of emergency. Otherwise, you may end up with serious health problems. Let's consider what drugs exist for emergency interruption of the development of the fertilized egg.

The drug "Postinor"

This product contains synthetic progestin. It is this component that affects the peristalsis of the fallopian tubes and the condition of the endometrium. Under the influence of a substance called levonorgestrel, the fallopian tubes reduce their mobility and slow down the activity of the fertilized egg. As a result, the fertilized egg dies before it reaches the uterine cavity. If a set of gametes descends into the reproductive organ, then levonorgestrel changes the state of the endometrium. The egg is simply not able to attach to such a cavity.

Postinor tablets should be taken two capsules every 12 hours. This is exactly the period of validity of the substance described above. The first pill should be taken no later than 16 hours after intercourse. The course of taking the medicine is three days. During this period, the woman should begin menstrual bleeding. Only then is emergency contraception considered successful.

Postinor tablets, the price of which is approximately 250 rubles, can be purchased at any pharmacy chain. It is worth noting that one package of the medicine contains only two capsules. This means that for the course you will need 6 packs. In this case, the price for Postinor tablets increases and is about 1,500 rubles.

The drug "Escapelle"

These tablets are also based on the action of a substance called levonorgestrel. However, here the dosage of the medicine is slightly different. A woman needs to take one tablet within 24 hours after intercourse. Next, you should repeat the procedure twice with a difference of 24 hours.

For Escapelle tablets the price ranges from 250 to 300 rubles. The pack contains one capsule. This means that for the full course you will need three packs of Escapelle tablets. The price in this case will be approximately 1000 rubles. It is worth noting that this medicine is somewhat cheaper than the drug "Postinor".

The drug "Eskinor F"

This product has the same effect as Escapelle tablets. After taking the drug, the reverse transformation of the endometrium and a decrease in activity begins fallopian tubes.

It is worth noting that this drug is less popular than the first two analogues. However, this does not mean that the drug will not be as effective.

Preparations containing mifetpristone

Anti-pregnancy pills after unprotected intercourse may have a slightly different effect. Such drugs include the following: “Mifegin”, “Zhenale”, “Miropriston” and others. It is worth noting that these drugs are most often used for The active substance of such drugs changes the transformation of the endometrium and enhances contractions of the reproductive organ. Under this influence, the endometrium is rejected and the egg is released from the female body.

Unlike drugs containing levonorgestrel, tablets containing mifepristone can interrupt even after a delay in menstruation. This way, the woman has time to make the right decision. These contraceptive pills are taken once after sexual intercourse. In this case, you should first obtain a doctor’s approval for such a correction. If the drug was not taken within the first three days after sperm entered the woman’s body, then the patient will need additional ones that block the production of progesterone.

These medications containing mifepristone are slightly more expensive than previous medications. So, one package can cost you from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles.

An alternative method for emergency interruption of egg development

In addition to the above, there are medications (contraceptives) to prevent unwanted conception after sexual intercourse. These include the most common ones. However, doctors strongly do not recommend using this method due to possible side effects and complications. These drugs include the following drugs: birth control pills “Yarina”, “Logest”, “Novinet” and others.

They should be used only after carefully reading the instructions. Here you will need school knowledge in mathematics. It is necessary to calculate the amount of hormones contained in one tablet. After this, you should calculate how many capsules you need to take at one time to achieve the desired dose (as in Postinor tablets and its analogues). On average, a woman needs two to five capsules. You need to drink them every 12 hours for three days.

How effective are pregnancy pills?

It is worth noting that drugs that interrupt the development of the embryo at the most early stages, have different effectiveness. A lot depends on what time the medicine was taken. So, if you follow the instructions and take the first dose immediately after intercourse, the effectiveness of the drug will be more than 90 percent. In the case when at least a day has passed after sexual intercourse, the effect of the medicine will already be 70-80 percent effective. If the subsequent intake of the substance is disrupted or you are very late in taking the first dose, then the probability of a successful outcome will be from 50 to 70 percent.

It is worth recalling that if termination of pregnancy in the earliest stages using the above drugs was not successful, then doctors strongly recommend curettage. The thing is that these drugs affect not only the female body. The substances included in the tablets have a detrimental effect on the condition of the fertilized egg. If you want to leave the unborn baby, then be prepared for the fact that the child will be born sick or will have some deviations.

and prices

In order to avoid the need to use emergency contraception, it is necessary to take care of methods of protection in advance. If you have a regular sexual partner, then it makes sense to start taking birth control pills. The price of such drugs can vary and range from 200 to 2000 rubles.

Absolutely all means of preventing pregnancy are divided into combined oral contraceptives and mini-pills. The latter contain a small dose of hormones and are not able to block ovulation in all women. However, it is worth noting that such drugs are the only tablets approved for use during breastfeeding. The drugs in the mini-pill group include the following:

Charozetta tablets (cost about 800 rubles);
drug "Laktinet" (price about 600 rubles);
Orgametril pills (cost from 1000 rubles) and many others.

The effect of combined oral contraceptives is somewhat different. Such drugs completely block the functioning of the ovaries, preventing ovulation. The active substance of the tablets thickens the cervical mucus, preventing sperm from penetrating into the uterine cavity and surviving there. In addition, hormonal drugs affect the condition of the endometrium, transforming it so that the fertilized cell cannot attach to the wall of the uterus. All oral contraceptives are divided into monophasic, biphasic and triphasic.

The following drugs are monophasic:

Regulon tablets (cost from 300 rubles);
“Zhanine” pills (approximately 800 rubles);
birth control pills “35 Diane” (price from 1000 rubles) and others.

Two-phase contraceptives include Regvidon tablets (cost from 200 rubles) and other drugs.

Triphasic birth control pills include the following:

“Tri-Regol” pills (cost from 200 rubles);
Tri-Mercy capsules (price from 400 rubles).

Also, contraceptives may vary in content. hormonal substances. So, tablets come in micro-dose and low-dose. There is also a group of high-dose drugs.

Microdosed ones include the following:

Novinet tablets (cost from 500 rubles);
the drug "Logest" (price approximately 900 rubles);
Jess pills (cost around 1000) and others.

Low-dose products are:

birth control pills “Yarina” (price from 700 rubles);
the drug “Diane 35” (cost from 1000 rubles);
means “Janine” (cost around 1000 rubles) and others.

Such drugs are more often prescribed to women who have given birth or to women over 30 years of age.

High-dose drugs have the following names:

Trikvilar tablets (price about 500 rubles);
the drug “Non-ovlon” (costs about 700 rubles) and so on.

Most modern girls and women are quite well versed in issues and know its basic methods. Among which, by the way, there are some that are frankly outdated and completely irrelevant. For example, the calendar method, when an approximate day is calculated ovulation or the method of interrupted coitus.

According to the scale used to assess the effectiveness of contraceptive methods ( Pearl index ), the above mentioned methods are extremely ineffective. The Pearl index for them is set at 25-40 and 18-27 points, respectively. For comparison, the barrier method of contraception, which uses condoms, and some other means score 2-3 points on this scale.

It is believed that the lower the Pearl index, the higher the protection against unplanned. Perhaps, among all the methods of contraception used to prevent pregnancy, the most effective are birth control pills (, also known as COOK) , as well as some hormonal drugs, for example, injections or intrauterine devices.

Of course, pregnancy pills also have their disadvantages, however, according to experts, the advantages of such contraception more than offset all its negative aspects. Perhaps the main difficulty faced by women using birth control pills is the need to constantly, in other words, take these drugs daily.

Otherwise, if you miss the next dose of pills, the risk of becoming pregnant after sexual intercourse, during which, for example, barrier methods of contraception were not used, increases sharply. What to do in such a situation and what to drink to avoid getting pregnant? There is one correct answer to these questions - emergency contraceptives .

In medicine, the name used for this term is postcoital , i.e. emergency, fire or emergency contraception. This method is effective after unprotected sexual intercourse. In addition, emergency contraceptives will help avoid pregnancy when taking birth control pills on a regular basis if a woman was unable or forgot to take the medicine more than twice in a row.

All in all, emergency contraceptive pills used if and only if the main method of protection against unwanted conception has failed. Moreover, you need to have time to take such contraceptive pills after the act within 72 hours. Otherwise, even these emergency contraceptive pills specially designed for such situations will not help avoid unwanted pregnancy.

It is important to emphasize that, in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (hereinafter referred to as WHO), emergency contraception after unprotected intercourse should not be used by women on a regular basis. Since the hormonal compounds included in such medications can negatively affect not only reproductive function, but also the entire body as a whole.

Emergency contraception is still a gentler alternative surgical termination of pregnancy . But, like all medications, they should be taken correctly and not abused.

Before we look at emergency contraceptive pills in more detail and talk about how such drugs affect the body, it is worth dwelling on some basic issues related to the process of conception. In order to better understand in the future the mechanism of action of anti-pregnancy pills on the female body.

So, for pregnancy to occur, it must happen. This is the fusion of reproductive cells of partners (male spermatozoa and women's eggs ), resulting in the formation of cells zygotes (a diploid cell that can “give birth” to another cell). Sexual intercourse itself cannot be associated with the act of fertilization. Because not every contact between a man and a woman is for the purpose of procreation.

During unprotected intercourse, a man's sperm naturally enters a woman's vagina. It is noteworthy that the environment of the female body is destructive for sperm. This is due to the high level of acidity in the vagina. Therefore, after ejaculation, the vast majority of sperm die. However, their most mobile part still penetrates into uterus and can lead to fertilization. How long before you can get pregnant after unprotected intercourse?

To answer this question, you need to understand that for conception the stars must, as they say, “align”, namely:

It is during this period that a woman should ovulate; this phenomenon is characterized by the state of maturity of the egg. If for some reason during a break follicle the egg did not “release” in fallopian tube or has not reached its maturity, fertilization will not occur;
a man’s sperm must be strong and mobile enough to overcome the acidic environment of the vagina and penetrate the structure of the egg;
when the sperm and egg unite, the process of dividing the fertilized egg should begin;
Implantation of the fertilized egg must occur during the process of its division into the walls of the uterus.

The entire fertilization process takes about seven days. It is during this period of time that the formation occurs embryo , which with the help chorion (predecessor placenta ) is fixed in the uterus, where it grows and develops over the next nine months. It is important to emphasize that there are often cases when emergency contraceptive pills are not dangerous for conception.

This means that even if you follow all the rules for using emergency contraceptive pills after intercourse (for example, they must be taken after a maximum of 72 hours to avoid pregnancy), fertilization may still occur. Of course, such cases are not the majority, and they are more likely to be exceptions. However, the possibility of “getting pregnant,” as an unwanted pregnancy is popularly called, is always there, even if you use conventional contraceptives.

Pills for unwanted pregnancy after intercourse are divided into two main categories:

morning after pills , i.e. medications that are best taken within the next 24 hours after unprotected contact. In fact, a woman has a maximum of 72 hours for the pregnancy pills to take effect and help avoid fertilization;
COC or (so-called Yuzpe method ).

As for oral contraceptives belonging to COCs or drugs from the mini-pill series, this is not essentially emergency contraception. After all, birth control pills must be taken constantly. However, there are varieties of such drugs that can be used as pills to prevent pregnancy after an act unprotected by any means of contraception.

As a rule, an increased dosage of birth control pills containing hormones or antihormones is used for these purposes. Also, emergency contraception methods include installation within 120 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse intrauterine device .

Emergency contraceptive pills are dangerous for pregnancy because they contain chemical composition substances that prevent fertilization. The main active compounds in tablets against pregnancy after unprotected intercourse can be either or antihormones .

The first compounds are biologically active substances that belong to squirrels or steroids and are produced by organs or tissues of a living organism. Hormones are transported through the bloodstream from organ to organ and are responsible for the physiological activities of the body, for example, its development and growth, metabolism, and so on.

As the name suggests antihormones - These are compounds that act opposite to hormones. They suppress hormonal activity in the body.

It is noteworthy that antihormones, by their nature of exogenous or endogenous origin, are often structural analogues of the hormones that they suppress.

So, before wondering what emergency contraceptive pill to take to avoid getting pregnant, you should remember that drugs of this type may contain:

, i.e. synthetic progestin (steroidal female sex hormone), found in such drugs as: , Tetragynon ;
mifepristone , i.e. synthetic antiprogestin (antihormone), found in such birth control pills How: , Renomelan, Agesta, .

Levonorgestrel-based drugs

First let's talk about how it works levonorgestrel and preparations containing it. So, pregnancy-terminating pills related to emergency contraception after the first dose:

immediately affect the chemical composition of mucus endocervix ( cervical canal cervix) , also increasing its viscosity, thus slowing down the process of sperm penetration into the fallopian tube;
act on the ovaries, preventing the release of a mature egg from the main follicle (subject to taking pills before ovulation), suppressing gonadotropic hormones, which ultimately blocks or delays the ovulation process;
prevent the implantation of an egg fertilized by a sperm into the uterine walls for further development embryo and the formation of a “children’s” place. In order for fertilization to fail, levonorgestrel not only changes the structure of the endometrium, thereby preventing it from entering the secretory phase, without which ovulation does not occur, but also affects uterine (fallopian) tubes. As a result, the number of their contractions is significantly reduced, which makes it impossible for a fertilized egg to enter the uterine cavity.

It is important to emphasize that drinking the above listed drugs, which include levonorgestrel , only after consulting a doctor. In addition, you should definitely read the instructions included with the tablets. The thing is that these contraceptives contain enormous doses of hormones.

After taking them, a hormonal imbalance occurs in the female body, the consequences of which can be unpredictable. Therefore, experts classify such contraceptive methods as “disposable” means, which are highly recommended not to be used more than 4 times a year. In addition, it is strictly prohibited to use such emergency contraceptives more than once per day. menstrual cycle.

Emergency contraceptive pills (they are also called “morning-after pills” due to the specific nature of their administration) - this is an effective, but rather controversial method of protection against unplanned pregnancy. Doctors say that after just a single dose of such drugs, serious changes occur in the body, so it takes time to restore full functions reproductive system women.

Mifepristone-based drugs

What can be said about the second group of emergency contraceptive drugs containing an antihormone? mifepristone – they act in almost the same way as levonorgestrel-containing birth control pills, i.e. Also:

inhibit the ovulation process;
change the structure of the endometrium, which makes it impossible for the fertilized egg to attach to the uterine walls;
strengthen uterine contractions, due to such hyperreactivity, the fertilized egg is “expelled” from the uterine cavity.

It is worth noting that to protect against unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, you can also use non-hormonal drugs , for example, vaginal suppositories containing nonoxynol (Steridil, ) or ( , ). The above drugs refer not only to methods of express contraception, since they have a spermicidal effect, their scope of application is much wider, due to their anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal abilities.

The above names of pills for pregnancy after an act unprotected by any means of contraception are not all. Currently, any pharmacy has a good selection of such drugs. You can find out what emergency contraceptive pills are called directly from the pharmacist at the pharmacy, but it is better to ask your doctor about these questions. After all, any medicine (and contraceptives are no exception to this rule) has its own contraindications and side effects.

This is especially true for women when Breastfeeding (breastfeeding) or suffering from certain diseases in which large doses of hormones or antihormones can be fatal. Let there be no clear answer to the question of whether birth control pills related to postcoital contraception are harmful, since what will be good and effective for some may turn out to be bad for others big problems health concerns, no woman should use this method of solving the problem of unwanted pregnancy without prior medical consultation.

Only a specialist will be able, firstly, to choose the right drug, taking into account all the individual characteristics of the patient (an ordinary person can simply get lost in the names of pills that say nothing about the composition, contraindications or side effects after an unprotected act). And, secondly, it is the doctor who will tell you how to take emergency contraceptives correctly so as not to harm your body and achieve the desired result.

There are several basic rules for taking postcoital contraceptive medications:

It is necessary to strictly adhere to the period of use of such drugs. The vast majority of pills should be taken no later than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. Many people have a question, how many days is 72 hours? It is well known that there are 24 hours in one day or in one day, therefore, 72 hours are three days or three days. It is believed that the first emergency contraceptive pill should be taken as early as possible, while the second should be taken optimally 12 hours after the first or a maximum of 16 hours. It is important to emphasize that the effectiveness of the tablets depends directly on the period of their use. It is believed that drugs with levonorgestrel most effective within 24 hours after sexual intercourse (95% effective). When taken after 48 hours, the effectiveness decreases to 85%, and after 72 hours - to 58%. Containing mifepristone The tablets are also taken no later than 72 hours from the moment of contact.
It is important to adhere to the dosage indicated in the instructions for the drugs or prescribed by the doctor. As mentioned above, emergency contraceptive pills are taken twice after a certain period of time, for example, Postinor . However, this rule is not relevant for all drugs. Eskinor F or Escapelle (contain levonorgestrel ) And Genale , Gynepristone, (contain mifepristone ) drink one tablet within 72 hours from the moment of sexual intercourse.
It is strictly forbidden to independently adjust the dosage of birth control pills. This can lead to the development of side effects, as well as provoke serious negative consequences ( bleeding, ). It is recommended not to eat food a couple of hours before taking emergency contraceptive pills and afterward, so as to biologically active compounds better absorbed in the body. If vomiting occurs after taking the medications, you will have to take the pill again.

Combined oral contraceptives

It is also worth paying attention to the so-called Yuzpe contraceptive method . As mentioned earlier, as emergency contraceptives you can use well-known COCs (combined oral contraceptives). This method can be an excellent solution for those for whom, for some reason, pills related to postcoital contraception are contraindicated.

The following COCs can be used as emergency contraceptives: , Tetragynon, Ovral, and others. As a rule, such tablets contain hormones - estrogen, levonorgestrel, desogestrel, ethinyl estradiol And progestogen .

According to the instructions, you need to take one COC every day. However, this rule can be broken in an emergency to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The main thing is not to overdo it, so as not to harm the body. The following dosages of COCs are considered safe for:

from 2 to 4-5 tablets (depending on the type of COC) at the first dose, which should take place no later than three days or 72 hours after sexual intercourse;
the same number of tablets should be taken 12 hours after the first COC intake.

The effectiveness of this method also depends on the time of taking the drugs. That is, the earlier a woman takes the pill, the greater the likelihood that ovulation will not occur and fertilization will not occur.

Contraindications

We talked about how not to get pregnant after a “no strings attached” act. Now it’s time to discuss the negative aspects of emergency contraception and determine who should not resort to the help of such an uncompromising method.

There is no benefit from emergency contraceptive pills, apart from, of course, the psycho-emotional peace of mind of a woman - this is a fact. How much and what harm can they do?

levonorgestrel drugs:

at pathologies of the biliary tract ;
for liver diseases, for example, liver failure ;
in cases where the pregnancy was confirmed by a gynecologist, i.e. the fertilized egg was successfully implanted into the uterine walls;
when the patient’s age is 16 years or less;
at lactose intolerance ;
in case of malabsorption galactose and glucose ;
for some gastrointestinal diseases, for example, Crohn's disease ;
at ;
in the presence of tumors sensitive to changes hormonal levels ;
at menstrual irregularities ;
at ;
in case of malfunctions hemostasis systems .

It is prohibited to use containing mifepristone drugs:

at liver failure ;
at porphyria ;
at renal failure ;
in case of malfunctions hemostasis (blood clotting) systems ;
upon admission glucocorticoids , For example, , and so on;
upon admission anticoagulants ;
at adrenal insufficiency ;
with confirmed pregnancy;
when breastfeeding; n
in the presence of certain diseases in the chronic stage;
at anemia ;
women over thirty-five years of age;
with ectopic pregnancy.

Of course, any woman has the right to independently decide which modern methods of contraception or even traditional methods to use to protect against unwanted pregnancy. However, you always need to think about what harmful consequences may occur for the body when taking certain drugs.

Emergency or fire contraceptive pills can be dangerous:

risk of developing later ectopic pregnancy , which is caused by a disruption in the process of transporting a fertilized egg to the place of its attachment in the uterus for further development;
risk of uterine bleeding , which even medical workers do not always cope with successfully;
risk infertility , this is especially true for young women whose menstrual cycle has not yet established;
risk of developing Crohn's disease , chronic inflammatory disease Gastrointestinal tract, which affects all its parts (from the oral cavity to the rectum);
risk of increased thrombosis , which is provoked by high doses of hormones contained in all “next” day pills without exception, which leads to , and even lethal effect.

According to reviews from women who have experienced the effects of emergency contraceptive pills, the most common side effects these drugs are:

nausea;
allergic reactions in the form rash And skin itching;
swelling or breast tenderness (mastalgia);
pain in the lower abdomen;
severe headaches;
stress ;
emotional instability.

Abortion pills. Price, where to buy, how to use correctly

The so-called pharmabort or medicinal often associated with emergency contraception. However, this is far from the same thing. Of course, both drugs help to avoid unwanted pregnancy, but the mechanism of action and the time of taking the so-called abortion pills are different.

Let's talk about the main differences between medical abortion, which, according to many experts, is safer than surgical intervention, for example, vacuum aspiration or scraping. Until what time can abortion pills be effective in terminating an unwanted pregnancy?

So, as we previously mentioned, after an unprotected act, birth control pills, which are classified as emergency contraception, can protect you from pregnancy for 72 hours. Medications for medical abortion are used when pregnancy has already occurred.

So, when can you use abortion pills or until when? These medications can be taken in the early stages of pregnancy (up to 42 days amenorrhea -the first day of the last menstrual cycle).

This means that abortion pills have an effect on the course of pregnancy up to the sixth week and up to the seventh week.

It is worth noting that abortion pills are most effective on the fertilized egg that is still weakly attached to the uterus for up to four weeks.

During this period, the hormonal background of the female body has not yet reached the peak of its changes and you can resort to the help of medications to terminate an unwanted pregnancy.

It should be noted that abortion pills should not be taken without medical supervision. Although this method of abortion is considered safer than surgical intervention, not everything always goes smoothly and without negative consequences for the female body.

To exclude possible harm For your health, you should definitely consult with a gynecologist, and also take this type of pill only in his presence, so that a qualified specialist can provide quick help (for example, if heavy bleeding occurs) and prevent a serious outcome from a medical abortion. Unfortunately, not many people think about how dangerous abortion pills can be.

After all, you can even die from them if complications arise and the doctors do not provide urgent care to the woman. medical care. Therefore, drugs for medical abortion containing mifepristone (steroidal antiprogestogen substance synthetic origin), for example, or taken once in a dosage of no more than 200 mg exclusively under medical supervision.

Mifegin , a drug produced by a French manufacturer, like his domestic analogue Mifeprex contain in their chemical composition the same thing biologically active substance mifepristone , which blocks production progesterone due to its effect on progesterone receptors. During a normal pregnancy, such as progesterone , produced yellow body ovaries , forms endometrium , whose main function is to create the best conditions for development embryo .

The action of mifepristone-containing drugs gives the exact opposite effect ( myometrium shrinks, increases in growth prostaglandins ), which ultimately leads to the prevention of unwanted pregnancy. After a maximum of 48 hours have passed after using the abortion pills, the woman should complete the medical abortion and take medications such as or Gemeprost .

These are analogs of prostaglandins that stimulate the process of “expulsion” of the fetus from the uterus. It is very important to understand that in order to avoid severe complications the patient must be under mandatory medical supervision for 2 hours after taking the above medications.

In order to be completely sure that a termination of pregnancy has occurred, the woman needs to undergo an ultrasound two days after the procedure, and then re-appear for an appointment with the gynecologist two weeks later. According to experts, the effectiveness of this method reaches 99%. However, in some cases, abortion pills do not completely help get rid of the fetus, and then the woman has to undergo such unpleasant procedures as:

abrasion (in common parlance scraping ) is an operation aimed at removing the fertilized egg, as well as some pathological formations on the mucous membranes of the uterus;
vacuum aspiration (in everyday life the name is more common mini abortion ) is a method of abortion in which the fetus is removed from the uterus using a special vacuum suction.

As we said above, medical abortion is considered the most gentle way to terminate an unplanned pregnancy, since there is no mechanical effect on the uterus. As a result, its mucous membranes are not damaged, which eliminates many possible complications. However, this method also has a number of contraindications for which the use of abortion pills is prohibited:

inflammatory diseases of the ovaries or uterus;
ectopic pregnancy ;
scars on the uterus , due to previous operations;
some gastrointestinal diseases .

The following complications may occur during a medical abortion:

bleeding in the uterus;
allergic reactions;
nausea;
sharp pain in the abdomen;
incomplete abortion, those. a situation in which pregnancy progresses because fetal rejection has not occurred;
blood pressure surges;
vomit.

Price of birth control pills

The price of postcoital contraceptive pills depends on several factors. Firstly, the cost is influenced by the manufacturer of the drugs, secondly, the number of tablets in the package, and thirdly, the region where the contraceptives are sold. For example, such popular and widespread tablets as Postinor in Ukraine the average price is 200 hryvnia, and in Russia 350 rubles.

How much do abortion pills cost? The price of this type of drug depends primarily on its manufacturer. In addition, as we mentioned earlier, pharmacological abortion is a medical procedure that should only be performed under the supervision of a doctor. Therefore, to the cost of the abortion pills themselves is added the price of the services of a gynecologist who will monitor the patient and be able to provide her with timely assistance if something does not go as planned.

Emergency contraception is considered the only way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. There are several types of it, and each has its own positive and negative sides.

In what cases can emergency contraception be used?

After unprotected intercourse, to prevent unwanted pregnancy. This could be pills or other medications.

The main condition for their use is a strict time frame - no later than 3 days after unprotected sex.

Taking a pregnancy test should be a mandatory step. If the result is positive, doctors strongly recommend that you stop taking emergency contraceptives. They can provoke the development of pathologies of the reproductive system.

Species

Emergency contraceptive methods are divided into several types depending on how they affect the body.

Intrauterine devices

Intrauterine devices include the installation of an IUD. It can be regarded as late contraception. Since the IUD is allowed to be installed within 5 days after sexual intercourse.

The method is not suitable for all women. In the presence of inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, the likelihood of an existing pregnancy and STIs, intrauterine urgent contraception is contraindicated. It is not advisable to use the spiral for young girls who have not given birth.

The main advantage of the method is that the hormonal levels remain normal. Ideal for young mothers as emergency or long-term contraception during breastfeeding.

The disadvantages of the intrauterine device are:

High risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Painful and prolonged adaptation of the uterus after insertion of the IUD.
The risk of developing endometritis, because the cervix remains slightly open.
Increased duration and abundance of menstruation with the introduction of non-hormonal IUDs. After installing Mirena, periods become scanty or stop completely.

Hormonal drugs

Drug contraception is the most common. There are many names of pills against unwanted pregnancy that are taken after sexual intercourse. They all have one thing in common - they contain large doses of synthetic analogues of progestogen or prostaglandins, which can affect ovulation and prevent implantation of the embryo.

Hematopoietic disorders;

Maintaining pregnancy after using emergency contraception

Preservation of pregnancy after use emergency contraception possible in several cases.

If the spiral is installed incorrectly. In the best case, the pregnancy will proceed normally; you just need to remove the IUD. In the worst case, the egg implants in one of the fallopian tubes, and surgery will be necessary.
Contraception was used after 3 days after sexual intercourse or close in time to the ovulation phase. In this case, fertilization occurs without any pathologies, and the fetus is not in danger.

Special instructions

Urgent funds hormonal contraception It is not recommended to use more than once every 3-5 months. There is the possibility of severe disruption of the reproductive system, followed by a long period of rehabilitation.

Gynecologists warn that unauthorized and unjustified use of drugs can lead to serious failures of any organs or organ systems.

The best solution is to visit a specialist in advance, who, after studying the medical history, will be able to select the safest method of emergency contraception for the woman in the future.

Emergency contraception during lactation should be selected with special care so as not to harm the baby. Suitable for young mothers:

Installing an intrauterine device is the safest method. There is no need for a feeding break. In the future, the IUD may become a long-term method of protection.
The use of hormonal drugs based on gestagens. Such emergency contraception during feeding is acceptable under one condition - a break in feeding for 24 hours after taking the pill. At this time, it is necessary to regularly express milk and feed the baby with formula.