How exactly does an emergency contraceptive prevent pregnancy?

A high dose of the hormone levonorgestrel blocks ovulation. And if there is no egg, then the sperm has nothing to connect with - and pregnancy does not occur. That is, emergency contraception does not cause medical abortion.

And if at the time of taking the drug, the sperm has already managed to merge with the egg (the probability of this is 15–20%), then the progestogen, on the contrary, even favors the implantation of a fertilized egg. Therefore, you should not worry that you somehow harmed the embryo if you took the drug, but the pregnancy did occur.

Usually hormonal preparations are female sex hormones that are produced by our own ovaries. Yes, there are natural and synthetic ones, and levonorgestrel is a synthetic substance, but still it is a female sex hormone.

Intrauterine contraception.

This method of emergency contraception is recommended by WHO specialists as an effective method of birth control. To obtain the desired result, the intrauterine device is inserted within five days after unprotected intercourse. The key advantages of this method is the possibility of using such a device in the future for contraception.

The use of copper-containing coils can lead to various side effects:

• increased menstrual bleeding during the first few cycles;

• mild bloody discharge from the genital tract in the middle of the cycle;

• pain in the lower abdomen;

• iron-deficiency anemia;

• development of bacterial lesions of the genitourinary system.

In addition, other undesirable effects may also occur. For example, sepsis, fainting, as well as heart rhythm disturbance (less than 60 beats in one minute).

This method of emergency contraception has a number of contraindications that should be considered by women who want to install an intrauterine device. The main contraindications for using this method of birth control include:

• violation of coagulation;

• a large number of sexual partners;

• suspicion of pregnancy;

• violation of coagulation;

• the presence of a malignant tumor of the cervix;

• the presence of uterine bleeding of unknown etiology.

In addition, it is forbidden to use this type of emergency contraception if the woman has a history of diseases such as pelvic inflammatory disease, endometritis, salpingitis, cervical deformity, pelvic peritonitis.

Gestagens.

These pills for pregnancy 72 hours are developed by pharmacists based on the active ingredient levonorgestrel. In general, these emergency contraceptives are used more frequently. To achieve the desired result, the tablets are taken within 1-3 days after unprotected proximity.

Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestogen derivative. Therefore, the effect of such drugs is due to the ability to inhibit the process of ovulation, as well as to immobilize spermatozoa in the female genital tract. This combination of action provides an opportunity to prevent the fertilization of the female egg.

The active substance also affects the quality of the endometrium, which significantly reduces the possibility of implantation of a fertilized egg. Emergency contraception using these drugs can slow down its progress through the tubes to the uterus, so gestagens significantly increase the risk of developing an ectopic pregnancy.

Let's give an example, taking pills is carried out already at the moment when the egg has managed to be fertilized. Under the action of these drugs, it is not able to enter the uterus for implantation, so there are conditions for attaching the egg inside the fallopian tubes. Numerous studies have proven the low probability of such an outcome.

This non-abortive method of birth control can come with various side effects:

• urticaria, rash;

• the appearance of itching;

• swelling of the face;

• nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;

• dizziness;

• increased fatigue;

• headache;

• pain in the lower abdomen;

• pain in the mammary glands;

• bleeding;

• cycle failure.

The use of gestagens is prohibited for women who have intolerance to some components of the drug and lactase, Crohn's disease, and serious liver disease. When taking pregnancy pills for a nursing woman, it is important to express milk during the day. During this period, she should not breastfeed her own baby.

Antiprogestins.

Emergency contraception of this variety was developed by pharmacists based on the active substance mifepristone. These are non-hormonal drugs with a contraceptive effect. To effectively prevent pregnancy, it is important to observe the optimal dose of the active substance - no more than 10 mg.

The action of antiprogestins is similar to gestagens. The active substance, in addition to slowing down the process of ovulation, immobilization of spermatozoa, also stimulates the contraction of the muscles of the uterus. The use of these drugs is safe, and also has a minimum number of possible side effects. The appointment of this method of emergency contraception is possible only if the woman is 100% sure that she is not pregnant.

The use of tablets is allowed on any day of the menstrual cycle. Experts do not recommend combining the drug with food intake. The best option is to drink the medicine two hours before or after a meal. The use of this method of contraception may be accompanied by some unwanted reactions:

• violation of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;

• headache;

• dizziness;

• weakness.

The use of antigestagens almost always leads to an exacerbation of the inflammatory processes of the appendages and uterus, the appearance of pain in the lower abdomen and bloody discharge (outside the menstrual cycle). Mifepristone-based tablets accelerate the passage of the egg through the fallopian tubes, so the risk of developing an ectopic pregnancy is significantly reduced.

Combined oral contraceptive pills.

Today, a large number of gynecologists resort to the so-called "Yuzpe method". The essence of this method of emergency protection against pregnancy is to take COC drugs in a sufficiently high dose. Reception of such combined estrogen-progestogen agents is carried out according to the scheme in two stages. Within 3 days after unprotected intimacy, the first dose of the drug is taken, 12 hours after that, the second dose is taken.

The action of COC tablets is based on the possibility of interrupting the reproductive cycle of women. Experts note that the effectiveness of this method is approximately 75%. It is important to understand that this indicator can be significantly lower if, for example, sexual intercourse occurred on the eve of ovulation.

The combined method of taking drugs that prevent the onset of unwanted pregnancy is resorted to only when it is impossible to use other options for emergency contraception. Nowadays, the Yuzpe method is less preferred, since in a fairly large number of cases, taking COC drugs is accompanied by a variety of side effects. Most often, a high dose of estrogen causes nausea, vomiting.

Types of contraception.

Today, a large number of women who are faced with the need to prevent the likelihood of an unwanted pregnancy are interested in which drugs are best. It is impossible to answer this question with a 100% guarantee. The key rule is to apply this method of birth control in a timely manner.

Emergency contraception pills, capsules and other types of dosage forms provide the opportunity to achieve the following:

• disrupt the process of follicle maturation;

• suppress ovulation or delay this process;

• intervene and disrupt the process of egg fertilization;

• transport the fertilized egg to the uterus;

• disrupt blastocyst implantation.

Experts recommend taking pills within the first 3 days or installing an intrauterine device no later than five days. If a woman is obese, the effectiveness of these drugs may be less.

Let's take a closer look at the four basic varieties of birth control, which in our time demonstrate high efficiency.

How to avoid unwanted pregnancy?

When a woman begins to have sex, it is imperative that she take care of birth control methods. Of course, both partners are responsible for pregnancy and childbirth, but girls and women should not rely solely on a man.

Nowadays, there are a huge number of options and ways to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Experts recommend paying attention to 4 methods of emergency contraception:

• COCs or oral contraception;

• antiprogestins (drugs in which the main active ingredient is mifepristone);

• intrauterine device;

• gestagens (drugs with the active ingredient levonorgestrel).

Several factors influence the effectiveness, reliability of these medicines, for example, the woman's weight index, the time of taking the remedy, and the phase of the menstrual cycle. Emergency contraception drugs can only be used during the first 72 hours, and here's why. Implantation of a fertilized egg for further development in the uterine cavity is carried out approximately 5 days after unprotected intercourse and fertilization. This period ends within 1 week. After the end of this process, the use of emergency contraceptives no longer makes any sense - such drugs become ineffective.

This means that it is possible to prevent pregnancy by a non-abortive method only during the first 2-3 days after unprotected intimacy. It is very important to understand how much is the viability of spermatozoa that have already entered the female genital tract - 3-7 days. In this case, an unfertilized female egg can be in the genital tract for up to 24 hours.

What are the main side effects of taking emergency contraception?

Taking any drug, and emergency contraception is no exception, can be accompanied by a variety of side effects. This means that before taking birth control pills, capsules and other dosage forms, it will be necessary to carefully study all the possible consequences of such activities.

Tolerability of any medical preparation, first of all, is determined by the individual characteristics of each person. The most common side effects of taking emergency contraceptives are:

1. dizziness;

2. nausea and vomiting;

3. headaches;

4. pain in the mammary glands;

5. uterine bleeding;

6. diarrhea;

7. occurrence of allergic reactions;

8. violation of the established menstrual cycle.

Particular attention should be paid to such consequences as nausea, vomiting, which can significantly reduce the reliability and effectiveness of the drug.

It is important to pay attention to one very important fact - women should know that estrogens, which are part of some drugs, can have a negative effect on the embryo if pregnancy does occur. In other cases, the use of emergency contraception is not considered a direct indication for abortion.

In addition, it must be recalled that anti-pregnancy pills are among the means that can be used in exceptional and very rare cases. During the year, this technique is allowed to be used no more than 3 times.

When can you use birth control pills?

Emergency contraception is an effective option for preventing pregnancy, which is based on the implementation of the necessary measures after intimacy. These drugs include those drugs that a woman must take within the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. This means that the earlier these activities are carried out, the higher their reliability and effectiveness.

Here are some examples of when using emergency contraceptives is relevant:

• the condom broke or slipped into the vagina;

• there was a displacement of the intrauterine device;

• unplanned intimacy without the use of contraceptives;

• timely uninterrupted sexual intercourse;

• violation of taking combined, as well as oral contraceptives (more than two days off);

• incorrect calculation of the day of ovulation (calendar method of birth control);

• sexual abuse of a woman when there is a risk of pregnancy.

Timely taking a pregnancy pill after an act provides an opportunity to prevent the very fact of conception, which is significantly different from such a method as an abortion. Despite the wide variety of drugs and their availability in almost every pharmacy, we do not recommend prescribing them yourself. To reduce side effects, the development of possible negative consequences, we recommend consulting a gynecologist.

Rigevidon is a means for emergency contraception.

The main active ingredients are levonorgestrel, ethinyl estradiol.

The use of combined oral contraceptives as an emergency protection against unwanted pregnancy demonstrates high efficiency when the 72-hour rule is observed. The scheme and dose of taking "Rigevidon" is determined solely by the gynecologist. The specialist takes into account the use of other drugs for the appointment of a highly effective method of emergency contraception.

Side effects when taking COC tablets are represented only by nausea, vomiting, headache and changes in the mammary glands. As a rule, the drug is well tolerated by women and the facts of overdose have not been recorded.