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The 72-hour single-pill type is often referred to as the emergency contraceptive pill. It is used to prevent pregnancy after you have had unprotected sex or think your usual method of birth control has failed. So how effective is this drug?
1. What is the emergency contraceptive pill?
Emergency contraceptive pills are pills that are used for the purpose of preventing pregnancy after you have had unprotected sex or think your usual method of birth control has failed. There are 2 methods of emergency contraception: using a copper intrauterine device (IUD), which is the most effective type of emergency contraception, and using emergency contraception.
For emergency contraceptive pills, there will be 2 types of emergency contraceptive pills, which contain levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate.
You should not use emergency contraception like regular birth control. Both types of emergency contraception are effective in preventing pregnancy if they are taken immediately after unprotected sex.
For drugs containing levonorgestrel and must be used within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. Particularly for the group containing ulipristal acetate and licensed to use within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex. Both of these classes of drugs are only effective if taken before ovulation (ovulation). The sooner you take the medicine, the more effective it will be.
Ovulation is triggered by increased levels of a hormone called luteinizing hormone (LH). Levonorgestrel does not appear to be effective after LH levels begin to rise, while ulipristal acetate continues to take effect after a short time in the cycle.
In this article will mainly refer to the levonorgestrel group of drugs that work for 72 hours.
2. What is the group of drugs that contain levonorgestrel?
Levonorgestrel is a hormone that can be used for emergency contraception. Emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of birth control.
Levonorgestrel can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is sometimes called the "morning pill". But you don't have to wait until the morning after sex to start using it. In fact, levonorgestrel is more effective if you take it earlier. This is a medicine that contains only one tablet for a single dose. And you only need to take one pill. The pill contains 1.5 milligrams of levonorgestrel, which is used in lower doses than in many birth control pills.
Levonorgestrel brands include Econtra EZ, My Way, Next Choice One Dose, Plan B One Step, Preventeza and Take Action. They are taken as a single-pill emergency contraceptive or taken as separate pills within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
Trắc nghiệm: Bạn đã biết cách tránh thai an toàn chưa?
Có rất nhiều biện pháp tránh thai an toàn nhưng không phải ai cũng biết được điều đó. Trả lời đúng những câu hỏi trắc nghiệm dưới đây chứng tỏ bạn có kiến thức tốt về các biện pháp ngừa thai an toàn.3. How does Levonorgestrel work?
Depending on when you have sex in your cycle, levonorgestrel helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It can prevent or delay ovulation.
Levonorgestrel, unlike RU-486, is an abortifacient. It does not cause miscarriage or abortion. It will not work if you are already pregnant when you take it.
4. How effective is Levonorgestrel?
If you take the pill within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, levonorgestrel can reduce your risk of pregnancy by up to 87% if taken as directed. If you use the medicine within 24 hours, it will be much more effective.
A 2017 review of the evidence estimated that about 1 to 2% of women taking ulipristal acetate failed to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex. Meanwhile, it is estimated that 0.6 to 2.6% of women who take Levonelle after having unprotected sex will become pregnant.
The effectiveness of both Levonelle or ellaOne may be reduced if a woman has a high body mass index (BMI). This makes it more difficult to provide a more accurate estimate for either drug.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking Levonelle or 3 hours of taking ellaOne. You will need to take another dose or have an IUD inserted.
But you should know that emergency contraception will not be as effective as regular birth control methods. So don't treat it as a form of birth control. And, it doesn't protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. Think of this as a backup and not for regular use.
5.How to take Levonorgestrel
Emergency contraception can be purchased over the counter without a prescription or proof of age. Because the medication is most effective when taken as soon as possible (up to 72 hours after unprotected sex), consider having a supply of it in your medicine cabinet. Better yet, use a reliable form of birth control and plan for a backup birth control method.
You can use it if:
You are not using any birth control. Condoms come loose or break. The diaphragm slides out of position. You have missed at least two or three active birth control pills in a row. Your partner did not pull out in time. You have another reason to think your birth control might not be working. You are forced to have unprotected sex. Remember: the emergency contraceptive pill will not protect you from getting pregnant if you have unprotected sex after taking the Pill. To prevent pregnancy, you need to take the pill immediately after having unprotected sex and use birth control during sex.
Do not take levonorgestrel if:
You know you are pregnant or suspect you are. You have a history of allergy or hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients. You have a recent history of unusual vaginal bleeding that your doctor has not evaluated.
6. Levonorgestrel side effects
Many women have taken emergency contraception without serious complications. But you should ask your doctor about possible interactions with other medications.
Levonorgestrel is considered safe for most women. You should not take it if you are pregnant as it will not end the pregnancy.
Potential side effects of levonorgestrel include:
Nausea Abdominal pain Tiredness Headache Menstrual changes Dizziness Chest tightness Vomiting If you vomit within two hours of taking the medicine, call your healthcare professional. health care provider to find out if you should repeat the dose.
With levonorgestrel, you may also experience unexpected bleeding. It should go away before your next period. However, it's possible that levonorgestrel could make your next period heavier or lighter than usual. It may also come earlier or later than usual for you. If you do not have your period within three weeks, take a pregnancy test to make sure you are not pregnant
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