What is emergency contraception?

As the name goes, emergency contraception is a contraceptive method which ladies can use so as to prevent unwanted pregnancy from having unprotected sex (have intimacy without condom).

On what situation one should use emergency contraception?

Situations where it is necessary for women to use emergency contraception are-

1. Raping cases
2. Habituated sex for the first without any barrier
3. When married people and couples in living together relationship forget to use contraceptive method (or) has used contraceptive method in the wrong way-

For instance- condom breakage, not used condom properly, forget to take daily oral pills more than three times, more than 4 weeks late to get 3 months injection. In those situations, you need to use emergency contraceptive method.

2 types of emergency contraception

(1). Emergency contraceptive pill like Lydia’s 1Safe Pill

(2). IUD devices Lydia’s Copper T, Copper Y and Sleek

How to use?

Emergency contraceptive pill like Lydia’s 1Safe Pill has to be taken within 72 hours after having unprotected sex. IUD like Lydia’s Copper T, Copper Y and Sleek can be inserted within 5 days after having unprotected sex. IUD is more suitable for couples who want to prevent pregnancy for long period.

Effectiveness

Emergency contraceptive pill like Lydia’s 1Safe Pill can prevent pregnancy from 75% to 85%. The sooner ladies take it after having unprotected sexual intercourse; the more effective it will be in preventing pregnancy. One thing to keep on mind is that if there is vomiting within 2 hours after taking the pill, ladies need to take the new one immediately.

IUD can prevent pregnancy up to 99% when it is inserted within 120 hours after having unprotected sexual intercourse so it can be said as the most reliable contraceptive method. A woman can forget about pregnancy for 5 to 10 years after getting inserted IUD and when she doesn’t wish to use long term contraceptive method anymore, she just has to have IUD taken out. Then it will be convenient for her to use other contraceptive method or to have a child.

Caution

As it is an emergency contraceptive pill, it is supposed to taken only after having unprotected sexual intercourse and it shouldn’t be taken more than 4 times per month. Frequent use of emergency contraceptive pill can be resulted in irregular period cycle, decrease of effectiveness in preventing pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy even. Hence, a person with active sexual life should better choose other type of contraceptive rather than using emergency contraceptive pill frequently.

IUD is not suitable for women with irregular bleeding, cervical cancer, breast cancer and women infected with sexually transmitted infections.