Emergency contraception for contraceptive accidents

Women who engage in a sexual relationship usually prefer using some form of protection. Until recently, condoms have been the most popular option and are commonly used as a method of contraception by couples. However, condoms have not proven to be 100% effective in preventing women from having an unplanned pregnancy. Many a times, during a sexual act, there are chances that couples experience a condom slip or a condom tear. This can only increase the risk of a women getting pregnant. However, many other contraceptive methods have been introduced in order to prevent such contraceptive accidents from making women pregnant. Daily contraceptive methods have helped women a lot.

The introduction of hormonal contraceptive methods brought about a generous change in the scenario as far as unplanned pregnancy was concerned. These methods are a form of daily contraception and have become quite popular amongst women. The three hormonal contraceptive methods include oral contraceptive pills, contraceptive patches and contraceptive rings. Oral contraceptive pills consist of synthetic female hormones that help in preventing unplanned pregnancy in women. A contraceptive pill can either be a combined pill or mini-pill, based on the hormones present in the pill. These pills have been proven to be almost 100% effective in preventing pregnancy.

However, at times, these contraceptive pills also have failed in preventing pregnancy. Such contraceptive accidents are common and that is where emergency contraceptive methods come into the picture. These methods have been proven to be effective in preventing pregnancy in women that may occur as a result of such contraceptive accidents. These methods are also termed as morning after pills, which are required to be taken within a span of 72 to 120 hours afterwards. The two most popular emergency contraception pills used by women across the globe are ellaOne and Levonelle. These pills consist of synthetic female hormones, like the contraceptive pills.

Levonelle is the oldest morning-after pill used by women for preventing pregnancy after a contraceptive accident. This pill consists of levonorgestrel, synthetic progestogen, as its active ingredient. This emergency contraception works by tricking your body into believing that ovulation has already occurred so as to prevent the production of an egg. It then thickens the cervical mucus in your womb so as to prevent a sperm from entering and fertilising an egg. And lastly, Levonelle alters the womb lining so as to prevent an egg from attaching and growing further. This pill can be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex occurred.

The other popular and commonly used morning after pill is ellaOne. This pill has been found to be gaining popularity at a fast pace as unlike other pills it can be taken within 120 hours or five days afterwards. This pill consists of ulipristal acetate as its active ingredient. ellaOne is most effective if taken within the first couple of days afterwards. The effectiveness of the pill tends to decrease as more days pass. This pill is generally a well-tolerated pill, however, a few women can experience certain side effects such as nausea, vomiting or painful periods.