Difference between revisions of "Buy the Morning After Pill"

If you’ve had unprotected sex or are worried that your contraceptive method failed, you may be concerned about an unwanted pregnancy. Emergency contraception, including the “morning after” pill, can prevent conception and give you peace of mind. Buy a morning after pill at a pharmacy or health  clinic, or get a prescription from your doctor.<ref name="rf1">http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/emergency-contraception-state-laws.aspx</ref>  

#*Morning after pills will likely be among other family planning methods such as condoms.<ref name="rf2">http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception</ref>

#*If you don't see the morning after pill on the shelves, visit the pharmaceuticals counter and ask there.<ref name="rf3"> http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception</ref>

#*There may be generic and brand name options. Both are equally effective and you can decide based on budget and if you’re sensitive to any of the active ingredients.<ref name="rf4">http://ec.princeton.edu/info/ecp.html</ref>  

#Go to a sexual health clinic or walk-in clinic. You may be able to get the morning after pill from your nearest sexual health clinic or walk-in health center.<ref name="rf2" /> If you're within business hours, this may be easier and more discreet than a retail outlet.

#*The morning after pill may not have any cost, or a clinic may price it on a sliding scale for those that can't afford full price.<ref name="rf2" /> You will be asked about your income and insurance to determine your fee.

#*NorLevo is not as effective in women with a BMI over 35; the case may be the same with other brands of the morning after pill.<ref name="rf2" />

#Take emergency contraception as soon as possible. If you’ve had unprotected sex and are concerned that you could get pregnant, take the morning after pill, which is also called emergency contraception, as soon as you can. In most cases, you can take the morning after pill up to five days following unprotected sex.<ref name="rf5">http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception </ref>

#*Be aware that many states require women under the age of 17 to get a prescription for morning after pills.<ref name="rf6"> http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/emergency-contraception-state-laws.aspx</ref>

#*You can take the pill anytime during your menstrual cycle.<ref name="rf7">http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/basics/how-you-prepare/prc-20012891</ref>

#*The morning after pill is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy.<ref name="rf5" /> However, you shouldn’t use this as a regular form of birth control.<ref name="rf3" />  

#Talk to your pharmacist about indications. While everyone can use over the counter emergency contraception, it may not be as effective for every woman and some may be allergic to it. Make sure to read and understand any indications or contraindications that come along with emergency contraception.<ref name="rf2" />

#*The morning after pill may be less effective for women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25.<ref name="rf2" />

#*Certain medications such as barbiturates, or other supplements such as St. John’s Wort may decrease the effectiveness of the morning after pill.<ref name="rf8">http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/basics/risks/prc-20012891</ref>

#*If you are allergic to any component of the morning after pill, it may be less effective.<ref name="rf8" />

#Watch for side effects. If you use any kind of morning after pill, you may experience some side effects. These usually subside after a few days.<ref name="rf9"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/basics/risks/prc-20012891</ref>

#*You may experience nausea or vomiting after taking the morning after pill.<ref name="rf9" />

#*You may feel tired, dizzy, or have a headache after taking the morning after pill.<ref name="rf9" />

#*You may have breast tenderness, and lower abdominal pain or cramping after taking the morning after pill.<ref name="rf9" />

#*You may experience bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual cramps after taking the morning after pill.<ref name="rf9" />

#*Contact your doctor immediately if you experience bleeding or spotting that lasts longer than a week or if you have severe abdominal pain 3-5 weeks after taking the morning after pill. This can help rule out an ectopic pregnancy.<ref name="rf10"> http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/basics/what-you-can-expect/prc-20012891</ref>

#Repeat the dosage if you throw up. One of the most common side effects of using emergency contraception is nausea. If you vomit within an hour of taking the pills, repeat the dosage.<ref name="rf11">http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/dose.html</ref>

#*Don’t repeat the entire process, just the dosage you threw up.<ref name="rf11" />

#*You may need to take an anti-nausea medication to help your stomach.<ref name="rf11" />

#Avoid using multiple forms of emergency contraception. Only use one form of emergency contraception. Not only is using two forms of emergency contraception not more effective at preventing pregnancy, but the different types of morning after pill may actually make the other less effective.<ref name="rf11" />

#*You’re much more likely to have nausea, vomiting, and other side effects from using multiple forms of emergency contraception.<ref name="rf11" />

#Use backup contraception. If you’ve taken the morning after pill and don’t have a regular form of birth control, use a backup form of contraception. This can help prevent unwanted pregnancy.<ref name="rf3" />

#*Consider using condoms as your backup form of contraception.<ref name="rf3" />

#*Use backup contraception for 14 days after taking the morning after pill.<ref name="rf3" />  

#Determine your dosage. If you take regular birth control pills, and have simply missed a dose, you may be able to increase your dose as a form of emergency contraception. However, you should talk to your doctor or a pharmacist about the number of pills you should take.<ref name="rf11" />

#Take two doses. After establishing how many pills you need, take two doses within 12 hours of one another. This is considered a safe and effective pregnancy prevention method.<ref name="rf11" />  

#Don’t take extra pills. You may be tempted to take more than 4-5 pills to make sure it works, but this will not actually reduce your risk. The only thing it will do is raise your chances of an upset stomach.<ref name="rf11" />

#Consider your family wishes and lifestyle. When you decide to use birth control, there are many factors you should consider such as if and when you want children, if you want to take pills or not worry about taking daily medication, and your lifestyle, including if you travel frequently. Thinking about these questions can help you determine the most appropriate form of birth control for you.<ref name="rf12">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/basics/birth-control-basics/hlv-20049454</ref>

#*If you have multiple partners, you may opt for birth control pills and condoms to protect from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.<ref name="rf12" />

#*Consider questions such as “do I want to plan every time I have sex?,” “do I want to remember to take a pill every day?,” “do I want to end my fertility permanently?”.<ref name="rf12" />

#Check out barrier methods. You can choose barrier methods that are put on or inserted right before sex including male and female condoms, a diaphragm, a cervical cap, and spermicide.<ref name="rf12" />

#*If used properly, these methods can help protect against pregnancy, but you may want to use a secondary method to help ensure that you don’t get pregnant. For example, if you’re using condoms, which have a failure rate of 2-18%, you may want to also use a spermicide.<ref name="rf13">http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom</ref>

#Try hormonal birth control. Hormonal birth control, which has a low failure rate of less than 1% to 9%, is a good option if you want to avoid pregnancy and are in a long-term relationship.<ref name="rf14">http://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill</ref> The different types of hormonal birth control are the Pill, a patch, or a vaginal ring.<ref name="rf15">http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Combined-Hormonal-Birth-Control-Pill-Patch-and-Ring</ref> Birth control pills can have the added benefit that they can help regulate your menstrual cycle.<ref name="rf16">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/basics/birth-control-pills/hlv-20049454</ref>

#Consider an IUD or implant. You can choose a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) method such as an IUD, hormonal shots, or a contraceptive implant if you want to wait to have children. It can take some time to return to fertility after using these methods, but they will not affect your ability to conceive in the long-term.<ref name="rf17">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/basics/seo/hlv-20049454</ref>

#Look into sterilization if you don't want children. Sterilization is a birth control option if you are sure you never want children. Vasectomies and tubal ligations are generally irreversible procedures and must be seriously considered before making a final decision to go through with them.<ref name="rf18">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/basics/sterilization/hlv-20049454</ref>

#*Hormonal birth control, such as pills, patches, and vaginal rings may increase your blood pressure and affect your cholesterol.<ref name="rf19">http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/in-depth/birth-control-pill/art-20045136?pg=2</ref>

#*Barrier methods such as condoms, spermicides, and caps can cause allergic reactions and may increase your risk for urinary tract infections or STDs.<ref name="rf20">http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Barrier-Methods-of-Birth-Control-Diaphragm-Sponge-Cervical-Cap-and-Condom</ref>

#*The risks for long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods include perforation of the uterus, increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease and ectopic pregnancy, and pain and heavy menstrual bleeding.<ref name="rf21">http://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraception-LARC-IUD-and-Implant</ref>