The best way to prevent pregnancy is to use the pill and condom together. This way you are protected against pregnancy and an STD. But using contraceptives can always go wrong. For example, you may forget to take the pill or the condom may tear. Fortunately, there are still emergency solutions, the so-called morning-after methods.
When are emergency solutions needed?
- If you forget to take the pill in the first week of the pill strip, there has been a normal stop week and sexual intercourse has taken place without additional protection in the 7 days prior to forgetting to take the pill, even if this is in the been a stop week.
- If contraception has not been used during fertile days
- If a condom accident has occurred during fertile days:
- The condom has slipped off and is later found in the vagina
- The condom is torn
Chance of pregnancy?
If sex is had without protection during fertile days, the chance of pregnancy is between 10% and 30%. This depends on ovulation and the survival time of the sperm cells.
Morning-after methods
Morning after pill
The morning-after pill is also called the emergency pill. This is not a normal contraceptive because it is less reliable than others. Therefore, it is only used in emergency situations.
The morning-after pill contains the hormone levonorgestrel, which is also in the pill and is very similar to a woman’s hormones.
This hormone postpones ovulation in women. For example, it is not possible to become pregnant because there is no egg. If ovulation has already occurred between having sex and taking the morning-after pill, you can still get pregnant. The morning-after pill no longer works if the egg has already been fertilized.
You should take the morning-after pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex. The reliability is then greatest .
The morning-after pill can be purchased without a prescription at the pharmacy or drugstore.
Morning after spiral
This coil can be placed up to 5 days after unprotected sex. It prevents implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. This is very reliable and the IUD can be left in place as a contraceptive. You must make an appointment with your GP for this.
Side effects
The morning-after pill can make you feel nauseous. If you vomit within 3 hours of taking the morning-after pill, the hormones probably haven’t worked. You must then take the morning-after pill again as soon as possible.
Your period may also occur later or earlier. If your period is lighter or not at all, it is wise to take a pregnancy test after three weeks. Between taking the morning-after pill and your next period you are unprotected and you must use another method of contraception.
The IUD does not have many side effects and is extra useful because it can be used later as a contraceptive.