If you are unsure, the morning after pill may be of help...

Though it is not for everyone, the morning after pill is an option for many

Birth control is a hot topic for many reasons however there is no part of birth control that has met as much debate and resistance as the emergency contraception pill, often called the morning after pill.

No matter how many people are against it or how many are for it the fact is that it is out there if you need or want to use it. Before even considering a step like the morning after pill you should understand a handful of things about it like what it is and how it works along with the possible health risks associated with it.

The best thing to do is to learn what you can about it and then consult your doctor to see what their opinion is and if they can fill in any information gaps you may have.

What is it?

What exactly is the morning after pill? The emergency contraception pill is a very large dose of birth control medication like “the pill”. The morning after pill is recommended to be used after intercourse up to about three days to prevent pregnancy. At the time there are three different versions of the pill consisting of progesterone only, an estrogen only or a combination of both. If these chemicals sound familiar it is because they are what is used in the traditional birth control pill.

How does the morning after pill work?

The morning after pill works by accomplishing one of three different things just as the typical birth control pill does. The first thing is that ovulation is prevented which basically means the woman’s egg is not going to be released. The second thing that can happen is that the woman’s menstrual cycle is changed making ovulation get delayed. The last thing that should happen with the morning after pill is that the uterus lining is irritated making it so that if the ovulation happens the woman cannot become pregnant because the potential fetus cannot attach the lining of the uterus and therefore passes. We will not sugar coat anything, if the last way happens the woman’s body rejects the embryo and it will die.

The morning after pill does have its share of side effects as with most medications. Nausea and vomiting are very common however they are minor compared to many of the others. A woman can become infertile which means she will not be able to bear children for the rest of her life. Blood clots, tender breasts along with possible ectopic pregnancy round out the possible side effects. There is no really long term scientific study to determine if there are other serious health risks by using the morning after pill such as cancer or other fatal ailments. Only time will tell with that.

One very important thing to remember about the morning after pill is that just like traditional birth control pills; though pregnancy can be avoided there is no protection against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases like AIDS and HIV. Abstinence is the only way to guarantee that these diseases do not get spread.

Check with the experts

Prior to ever needing to use the morning after pill you should consult your doctor to see what your best option is for birth control is. Whether it is the birth control patch, birth control pills or similar the use of birth control is personal and important so do not take it lightly.

Learn what you can about the pill