Morning-after pills is a type of birth control used to help prevent pregnancy if you’ve had unprotected sex — either because you didn’t use birth control, you missed a birth control pill, you were sexually assaulted or your method of birth control failed.
Morning-after pills do not end a pregnancy that has implanted. They work primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation.
Although the morning-after pill is generally considered safe, it is important to be aware of the potential side effects.
The most common side effects of the morning-after pill include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
These symptoms are usually mild and should go away within a few days. Some women may also experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, or breast tenderness.
According to Mayo Clinic, the morning after pill which is also referred to as an emergency contraception has its risks when an individual chooses the intake of pill and although it is an effective option for preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex one should note that it isn’t as effective as other methods of contraception and isn’t recommended for routine use. Also, the morning-after pill can fail even with correct use, and it offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections.
The morning-after pill isn’t appropriate for everyone.
Don’t take a morning-after pill if:
- You’re allergic to any component of the morning-after pill
- You’re taking certain medications that can decrease the effectiveness of the morning-after pill, such as barbiturates or St. John’s wort
Mayo Clinic also suggests that if one is overweight or obese, should not take the morning pill as there’s some indication that the morning-after pill won’t be as effective in preventing pregnancy as it is for women who aren’t overweight.
In addition, make sure you’re not pregnant before using ulipristal. The effects of ulipristal on a developing baby are unknown. If you’re breast-feeding, ulipristal isn’t recommended.
Side effects of the morning-after pill, which typically last only a few days, might include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps
