How does the morning-after pill work?

Consult your physician: The medical information in this article is provided as an informational resource only and should not be used or relied upon for diagnostic or treatment purposes. Consult your physician for guidance on a specific medical condition. 

These pills are only used in a few cases due to the large amount of hormones they contain and the side effects they can cause in our bodies. We will tell you exactly how this pill works!

The emergency pill drastically decreases the chances of pregnancy if used correctly after unprotected sex.  We do not recommend regular use because it is less effective than other contraceptive methods and does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.

How effective is the morning after pill?

It is recommended to take the emergency pill within the first 12 hours after sexual intercourse to ensure up to 95% effectiveness. If it is taken between 24 and 48 hours, the effectiveness decreases to 85%, and if it is taken between 48 and 72 hours later, the effectiveness can be reduced to approximately 75%. Taking it as promptly as possible is crucial to maximize its effectiveness.

What does the emergency pill do in the body?

Pregnancy does not occur as soon as you have sex, so you can prevent this from happening by taking the emergency as soon as you can. Sperm can live inside the body for up to six days after intercourse, looking for an egg to fertilize.

If ovulation coincides with the days following sexual intercourse, pregnancy can occur. Emergency pills function by temporarily halting the release of an egg from the ovaries; think of it like an emergency brake. The menstrual cycle phase and the timeliness of consumption influence the drug's efficacy. It is essential to use this method quickly because many women don't know precisely when they're ovulating. It doesn't matter which part of your menstrual cycle you're in, even if you're unsure if you're ovulating.

When should you use the emergency pill? You can use it in any of the following cases:

• No contraceptive method was used during sex.
• Something happened with your regular contraceptive method (you forgot to take your birth control pill or changed your patch).
• The condom broke.

The morning-after pill is not the same as an abortion pill. It does not work if you are already pregnant, nor will it harm an existing fetus. It does not terminate pregnancy; it prevents it.

Some side effects of the emergency pill

Because of its hormonal load, the morning after pill has the potential to cause a hormonal imbalance in the body. The primary manifestation of this imbalance is delayed menstruation, although other symptoms may also arise, such as:

• Headache and back pain
• Abdominal pain or cramps
• Breast tenderness
• Nausea, dizziness and vomiting
• Tiredness 

It is essential that if you decide to use it, you take some things into account.

• It can work 120 hours after unprotected intercourse but is most effective within the first 24 hours.
• It should not be used as a regular method of contraception.
• Your period may be a few days early or late. If it is more than ten days late, we recommend a blood test for pregnancy.
• In the case of breastfeeding, you should stop breastfeeding for a week.
• It can diminish the effect of other hormonal contraceptive methods. We recommend using a barrier method until the end of your cycle.
• It should not be used in case of severe hepatic insufficiency or asthma.

Frequently asked questions about the use of the morning after pill.

In the vast majority of situations, the morning after pill takes effect before fertilization of the egg or implantation of the embryo occurs, thus preventing pregnancy and ruling out the possibility of an abortion. By its definition, this method is classified as a contraceptive.

No. The morning after pill is only effective after sex. It is not a valid contraceptive method if taken before sexual activity. Its effectiveness is activated only after sexual intercourse.