After the intercourse , having one emergency contraceptive pill for up to 120 hours is said to be helpful for preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Wondering how the pills work? Which pill is effective?

Karetrip has got you covered. In this blog, we will delve into different kinds of pills that can be taken to avoid pregnancy after 72 hours of having unprotected sex.

Emergency Contraception Pills

• There are mainly two forms of emergency contraception pills. Over the counter pills and prescription pills which you consume orally and Intrauterine devices (IUDS) which can be inserted with the help of a healthcare professional.
• It has been understood that a person’s weight or body mass index can affect the effectiveness of contraceptive pills. But research has not been done regarding this.
• This suggests that healthcare professionals presently don't have a correct answer to the question that contraceptive pills are effective or not.
• Research should be conducted more in order to understand whether doubling the dose will increase efficacy in people with a higher body mass index.
• That means healthcare professionals currently don’t have a concrete answer as to when emergency contraceptive pills become less effective or ineffective.
• The most effective way of contraception is Copper IUD which can be inserted regardless of weight or BMI. Healthcare professionals can discuss and recommend the best contraceptive for each individual's needs.

Ulipristal Acetate (ella)

• This pill is said to be more effective when taken at any point within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex than any other emergency contraceptive pill option.
• This pill uses a non hormonal ingredient ulipristal acetate in order to block the hormone progesterone which delays ovulation for 120 hours (5 days).
• Before the release of the egg, this will give spermS time to die off. Even if sperm can fertilise the egg , implantation does not occur as this will thin the uterine lining by blocking progesterone.
• Ella is said to be effective for people with a BMI of 30 or less. It can be potentially ineffective for people with a BMI of 35 and more. This was according to the study conducted by Planned Parenthood.
• This is a prescription medicine. Consult with your primary care healthcare professional or gynaecologist before purchasing it.
• This pill is very cheap and even some providers offer this medication for free or at a reduced cost .

Plan B and Other Levonorgestrel Pills

The most commonly available emergency contraceptive on the market is known as Plan B , which contains a synthetic version of progesterone which is known as levonorgestrel. This hormone will help in delay of ovulation thus reducing the risk of fertilisation.

Other commonly available levonorgestrel pills are:

• AfterPill
• My Choice
• My Way
• Option 2
• Preventeza
• Take Action

According to researchers , levonorgestrel pills are shown to be 89% effective when consumed up to 72 hours ( 3 days) after unprotected intercourse. They will work even after 5 days or 120 hours but with less efficiency.

This pill is said to be effective for people with a BMI of 24 or less. This can be very less effective or potentially ineffective for people with BMI of 25 or higher.

This is available in the drugstore without any prescription. Even online retailers also sell this medication. You will even get this medication at your local health department or community clinic. They are usually less expensive.

Combination Birth Control Pills

When you take emergency contraception in higher amounts than usual , instead of that you can take birth control pills. This will help in delaying ovulation and prevent implantation.“ You can practise the Yuzpe method for this. The Yuzpe method means first you need to take one dosage within 72 hours and then the second dosage should be taken after 12 hours.

This method works only with combination birth control pills that contain oestrogen and progestin. Mini Pills that contain progestin alone may be ineffective. Even though it is convenient , most experts do not recommend this if other options are available.

According to researchers , the Yuzpe method is less effective compared to ella and Plan B and also has more side effects than them. It is also 56-86% effective depending on how soon after sex people took the medication.

Can We Prevent Pregnancy After 120 Hours Have Passed?

Your best option is to get a copper IUD.Intrauterine devices have been used as an emergency contraception for up to 120 hours ( 5 days) after unprotected sex.

This has been approved and used for up to 168 hours( 7 days) after unprotected intercourse. According to a study conducted in 2019 , copper IUD insertion up to 14 days or 2 weeks may help in preventing pregnancy.

FAQ

1. Which is better: getting an IUD or taking an emergency contraceptive pill ?

According to researchers , IUD is the most effective contraceptive method.Copper IUD can cause an inflammatory reaction which is toxic to sperm and thus keep the egg from contact away from sperm.

2.Is hormonal IUD a reliable method of emergency contraception?

Hormonal IUD contains levonorgestrel which interfere with the sperm and egg transport through fallopian tubes which will make the uterine wall inhospitable for implantation.

3.Will the emergency contraceptive pills affect your periods or menstrual cycle?

Yes , sometimes it can affect your menstrual health as these contain a high amount of hormones . Sometimes it may cause early periods or slight delay in periods.

4.How soon will I get my period after the intake of an emergency contraceptive pill ?

You normally get your period within a week. This is actually not exactly a period but withdrawal bleeding.Consult with a healthcare professional if you have used an emergency contraceptive pill and your period is more than a week or two.