Emergency contraceptive: types, names and rules of admission

In the lives of women, there is an unprotected sex, after which emergency contraception is required. Only then will it be possible to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. In gynecology, emergency contraceptives are used. Types and names of popular drugs are presented in the article.

What to do after unprotected sex?

Various events can occur during intimacy - a condom moves out, COC reception is missed, or partners did not use a means of protection. What should a woman do so that there is no pregnancy? In this case, the following actions will be required:

1. You should immediately get out of bed so that the seminal fluid flows out of the vagina before reaching the female cell. But you should not completely rely on this method, because it does not guarantee absolute reliability.
2. After sex you need to take a bath and wash yourself with soap. This must be done within 10 minutes after intercourse. This measure reduces the likelihood of conception by 10%. Douching helps with something acidic, such as lemon or vinegar water. Such products provide aggressive conditions for sperm in the vagina. But douching must be done carefully to prevent burns of the mucous tissues.
3. If a contraceptive is regularly taken, then you need to familiarize yourself with its instructions. Usually there are prescribed actions when skipping a pill.
4. If the intimacy was with an unreliable partner, then the genitals and vagina should be treated immediately with the help of agents that prevent the development of STDs. This drug is Miramistin, but you should consult your gynecologist about its use.

But the most effective method is to take an emergency contraceptive - tablets. Which is better to choose, it is preferable to consult a gynecologist, so that he takes into account the characteristics of the patient’s body.

When do such remedies help?

Any emergency contraceptive can not be classified as absolutely safe and beneficial for the woman's body. Therefore, they should be used only in rare cases when coitus has happened. In general, emergency contraceptives are intended for women who rarely live intimate lives, as well as for unforeseen cases.

Such drugs are called postcoital, as they are used after sperm penetrates the vaginal environment. If intimacy occurred before the ovulatory period, then an increased dosage of hormonal substances does not allow its onset, this cycle will be anovulatory. When performing fertilization, an emergency contraceptive will not allow the embryo to be fixed. Such medicines include an increased dosage of hormonal components, so they should be taken rarely.

The action of emergency contraception

An emergency contraceptive suppresses the maturation of a female cell, prevents the cell from “meeting” sperm and implanting it into the uterine wall. Therefore, after taking the medicine in the body, the cervical secret thickens, which prevents the penetration of sperm into the uterus. And an increased dose of hormonal substances serves to prevent ovulation, so the cell does not exit, and the sperm die.

If sperm entered the uterus, reach the cell and fertilize it, then under the influence of the hormonal substances of the drug hypotrophy of the endometrial layer is performed, which will not allow the zygote to attach to it. Therefore, pregnancy does not develop, the embryo leaves the uterus during the next menstruation with spotting.

The effect of emergency contraceptives (tablets) is high - 97-99%. But in this case there are nuances. A high contraceptive effect is provided by an increased content of hormonal components that negatively affect the female body.

Types of funds

There are several types of emergency contraceptives for women:

1. Gestagens. The active component are gestagen hormones that suppress the secretion of gonadotropin and prevent the ovulatory period. Such substances do not allow cellular implantation in the uterus. And if the tool is taken after the start of implantation, then they will be powerless. Taking gestagenic drugs in the first 3 days after unprotected proximity reduces the risk of unplanned conception by 60%.
2. Estrogen. They have a long practice of application. Such drugs are effective, but lead to side effects - nausea, vomiting, thrombosis. The drugs are teratogenic for the fetus, so if conception after taking has nevertheless occurred, then an abortion is necessary.
3. Combined. Usually they contain several active substances, for example, gestagen and estrogen. These drugs are now the most common. Combined contraceptives are taken according to the Yuzpe scheme, which ensures 75% effectiveness. But side effects are likely in the form of nausea, vomiting, menstrual cramps, migraines.
4. Antiprogestin. These are emergency contraceptives that include mifepristone as an active ingredient. This substance is used to terminate pregnancy. It leads to ovulatory retardation and endometrial atrophy, so the egg does not undergo implantation. Means have adverse reactions, but are easier to carry. These medications are prescribed for those who have contraindications to taking other types of drugs.
5. Antigonadotropin. This is an effective type of emergency contraceptive. Active substances block the production of gonadotropic hormones needed for ovulation, so the cell cannot develop and exit. With them, the matte endometrial layer is not able to ripen for a positive intake of the embryo. During the reception, adverse reactions appear - nausea, vomiting, menstrual irregularities.

Emergency one-time contraceptives for young girls and women should be selected by a doctor. Only then will it be safer for the body.

Reception

To obtain the desired effect of an emergency contraceptive, the rules of admission must be observed. If a medicine is taken with levonorgestrel as the main substance (Postinor), it must be borne in mind that they are drunk no later than 72 hours after intimacy.

The first pill is taken immediately. In this case, the contraceptive effect increases. The second pill is taken after 12-16 hours. If there was vomiting, drink another 1 tablet of Postinor. If you take other drugs with levonorgestrel, for example, Eskinor F or Escapel, then they are drunk once per pill for 72 hours.

The effectiveness of the emergency contraceptive "Escapel" depends on the time of taking the medication after sex. Admission after a day or less provides a contraceptive effect of 95%, after 25-48 hours - by 85%, after 2-3 days - by 58%.

Means with gestagen and estrogen are used according to the Yuzpe scheme. This technique consists in taking COC, but at higher dosages. The first time you need to take 2-4 pills no later than 3 days after proximity. The second time they take the same number of tablets after 12 hours. For urgent contraception, combined oral preparations are used, for example, Ovidon or Rigevidon, Silest, Non-ovlon. The effectiveness of this tool reaches 75-85%.

Means with mifepristone ("Mifolian", "Agest", "Ginepriston", "Zhenale") should preferably be taken during the first 3 days. Drink 1 pill. The condition is an empty stomach, so you can not eat pills for several hours before and after use.

Side effects

After taking an emergency contraceptive, the consequences can be different. Due to the increased dose of hormonal components, many side effects appear. This may be nausea, vomiting, intermenstrual bleeding, chest pain, migraine. If there is already varicose expansion, then thrombosis is likely from such contraception. Side effects include menstrual irregularities and dizziness. Taking high-dose hormones often leads to menstrual irregularities, when the periods go longer or more plentifully.

Allergies, pains in the uterus and genital tract are also likely. But side effects are observed only in some patients, the rest of the women tolerate taking the drugs easily. If you follow the instructions, then medications will prevent undesirable motherhood.

Best drugs

The names of emergency contraceptives (tablets) are presented below. Doctors classify several medications as effective, which are prescribed to most women.

1. "Postinor." This is the best emergency contraceptive that has become a means of the older generation. The medication does not allow ovulation due to a gestagen effect. It must be taken in 2 stages. The first pill is drunk in the first 48 hours. The second dose occurs after 12 hours.
2. Escapel. A modern contraceptive with levonorgestrel. It is taken 1 time in the first 3 days after sex, but preferably within 48 hours, then the effect will be maximum.
3. "Zhenale." The medication has a histamine base, lasts 72 hours. It can lead to bleeding.
4. Ginepriston. This is an anti-gestagen agent that delays ovulatory processes, cell implantation and atrophic changes in the endometrial layer. The tablet can act for 72 hours, but before taking 2 hours there is nothing to eat, as well as after taking.
5. "Mifegin." The medication is used for non-surgical termination of pregnancy. Valid from a delay period of up to 8 weeks. But for use, you need to contact a gynecologist, who has a license to use Mifepristone.
6. “Ovral”, “Augustrel”. These are contraceptives consisting of estrogen and progestin components. Doctors believe that taking medication can lead to vomiting, so you should drink an antiemetic drug before taking the pill. The course includes taking 4 pills, first 2 tablets are taken in the first 72 hours, and then 2 more after 12 hours.
7. "Plan b". A progestational agent consisting of levonorgestrel. Ovulatory processes are inhibited with it and egg implantation is not allowed. The first pill is drunk within 48 hours, the second - after 12 hours.
8. Danazol An antigonadotropic drug that experts recommend taking in a dose of 600 mg for 3 days after intimacy.
9. "Preven." Combined medication, which is taken in a course of 4 pills - 2 doses each. It is advisable to take the first 2 days, and the second time - after 12 hours.

Recommendations

To exclude self-harm during emergency contraception, the following rules must be observed:

1. Do not use such funds more than once every six months.
2. The second tablet is taken exactly after 12 hours. If you are late for 2-3 hours, this significantly reduces the contraceptive effect.
3. To prevent nausea and vomiting, it is advisable to drink the tablets with milk or plenty of water.
4. In the future, barrier contraception must be used. It is preferable to use condoms, caps.
5. If the menstrual cycle is delayed, a visit to the doctor is required, as this may indicate a pregnancy that has occurred due to the ineffectiveness of contraceptives.
6. To maintain hormonal health and maintain bone density, natural osteoprotectors are accepted. To do this, use the supplement "Osteomed", which maintains bone density even with prolonged use of COCs and emergency contraception.

After taking medication, young mothers should stop breastfeeding for 36 hours. This will prevent negative effects on the health of the child.

Effects on the body

Doctors do not recommend using these contraceptives constantly, since they negatively affect the reproductive system. In the future, this can disrupt ovarian function. With the constant use of progestin or combination drugs, the body receives small doses of the drug, designed for a full menstrual cycle. Taking a hormonal drug is not able to disrupt the duration of the cycle, the ovaries will work better. Hormonal problems are still excluded.

If the same remedy for emergency contraception is taken, then the body receives a dosage of the drug, which is exceeded many times. As a result, the menstrual cycle will be anovulatory, which can lead to infertility. Due to a malfunction of the ovaries, a metabolic disturbance syndrome appears. It manifests itself in the form of an increase in blood sugar, increased blood pressure, the occurrence of excess weight.

Some doctors believe that douching with solutions does not have the desired effect, since sperm penetrate into the cervix within 1 minute after intimacy. Frequent procedures can cause vaginal dryness and microflora disturbance.

Contraindications

Contraceptives have a number of contraindications. They can not be taken with prolonged smoking, adulthood after 35 years, and a hereditary risk of thromboembolism. Still, these medicines are not used for pronounced migraine, a predisposition to uterine bleeding.

Means are not taken with advanced hepatic, biliary pathologies. Also, this contraception is not suitable for girls under 16 years old, pregnant and lactating women. If puberty girls take these medicines, then they will have severe cycle disorders, and sometimes irreversible infertility will develop.

Emergency contraception is unacceptable with lactase deficiency, Crohn's disease, an unstable and irregular menstrual cycle, with a hormone-dependent reproductive tumor. It is also contraindicated in women who have previously had an ectopic pregnancy.

Emergency contraception is a serious category of medications that you should not take on your own. Gynecological prescription is required, compliance with the instructions and then it will turn out to prevent an unwanted conception and further abortion.