"Postinor" today is one of the most popular drugs to prevent the occurrence of an unwanted pregnancy. Among the female half of the population, due to its properties and features of its use, he received the name of the remedy that terminates the pregnancy the next morning. In developed countries, "Postinor" is not used as a contraceptive, this drug is prescribed only after consulting a specialist and dispensed in drugstores strictly according to a prescription due to the unsafe use of it. In our country, the drug can be bought at any pharmacy freely, if it is available in the assortment, and if it is not available, make an order, and as soon as possible it will appear on the counter of the pharmacy. The drug is used as an emergency prevention of unwanted pregnancy, for continuous use it is not used. But in some women, Postinor found use on an ongoing basis as a method of contraception.
The drug "Postinor" - pharmacological properties
The medicine has progestogenic, antiestrogenic and contraceptive properties, therefore, it works in three directions:
- blocks the exit of an already matured egg from the ovary into the fallopian tubes, as a result of which fertilization by the sperm does not occur;
- in the case of ovulation and fertilization, it does not allow the fertilized egg to implant into the walls of the uterus by changing the composition of the endometrium, as a result, it becomes loose and the egg cannot attach to it;
- changes the composition of cervical mucus, as a result of which it becomes viscous, sperm speed decreases, they cannot penetrate the uterine cavity, therefore, the process of fertilization does not occur.
If the fertilized egg still adheres to the walls of the uterus, the drug becomes ineffective.
In what forms is the medicine available?
This drug is available in a single form - tableted. Tablets are oval in white or milky color. One tablet contains 0.75 mg of the active substance - levonorgestrel - artificial hormone and other additional substances (silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, talc, corn starch, potato starch, lactose monohydrate). In one cardboard package is one blister, in which two tablets.
Indications for use of the drug
Accepted only in cases when sexual intercourse was forced and unprotected or with mechanical damage to the condom in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Constantly taking this drug is not recommended, since its negative effect on the body leads in the future to hormonal changes and threatens infertility, which is not very treatable.
The effectiveness of Postinor
The effectiveness of the drug is on average about 85% and depends on several factors, such as the correctness of taking the medicine and the time that has passed after sexual intercourse. If no more than 24 hours have passed since the sexual intercourse was completed, the effectiveness of the drug reaches 95%, if not more than 48 hours - 85%, if more than 48 hours and up to 72 hours - less than 58%.
What is the danger of the drug?
Like all hormonal drugs, Postinor has a number of side effects. The most frequent:
- allergic reactions - rash, itching, Quincke's edema;
- common symptoms - low - grade fever, chills, sweating, sensation of fever, weakness, lethargy, pain in the lower abdomen;
- from the digestive organs - nausea, vomiting, impaired stool (diarrhea);
- from the organs of the central nervous system - headache, dizziness, irritability;
- on the part of the reproductive system - intermenstrual bleeding, engorgement of the mammary glands, their soreness, the appearance of secretions when pressure is applied to the nipples, in girls taking Postinor, the delay in menstruation can be 5-7 days, there can also be amenorrhea - absence of menstruation, which in the future may lead to infertility;
- hormonal disorders - male-type hair growth (appearance of facial hair);
- violation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism (body weight can either decrease or increase);
- increased likelihood of developing an ectopic pregnancy.
Assessing the consequences of Postinor, many women leave negative reviews, because the drug must be taken very carefully.
How to take it?
Reception "Postinor" is carried out as soon as possible after an unprotected sexual intercourse. During the first 48 hours, you should take one tablet of the drug orally, without chewing, with a little water. 12 to 16 hours after taking the first pill, you must take a second, but no later than 72 hours after sexual intercourse. In case of vomiting within 2 to 3 hours after taking the medicine, another tablet is taken. "Postinor" can be used on any day of the menstrual cycle. If there is irregularity of the menstrual cycle, then before taking the drug, it is necessary to exclude the presence of pregnancy. It is undesirable to take the drug more than once in one menstrual cycle. After taking Postinor until the onset of menstruation during sexual intercourse, barrier methods of contraception should be used, such as a cervical cap or condom.
What could be the threatening consequences of taking Postinor?
As a result of taking the drug, profuse uterine bleeding may develop as a result of an increase in the blood hormone gestagen and changes in the thickness of the endometrium. The occurrence of bleeding should serve as a signal for seeking qualified medical help.
Another very dangerous side effect of the drug is an increase in blood coagulation, as a result of which blood vessel thrombosis can occur. The blockage is partial - with incomplete overlap of the lumen of the vessels, and complete. In this case, the likelihood of developing ischemic stroke with various kinds of paralysis and paresis.
In some cases, the resulting blood clots can come off and thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery occurs , as a result of which hemorrhage in the brain can develop, sometimes with a fatal outcome. The consequences of "Postinor", the reviews of women testify to this, are very dangerous, therefore you can not take lightly this drug.
To whom is the drug contraindicated?
Termination of pregnancy by "Postinor" is contraindicated in a number of diseases and conditions of the body. The main ones are:
- diseases of the liver and biliary tract with impaired functions (liver failure) due to the fact that hormone metabolism occurs in the liver;
- the age of girls under 16 years old - due to the negative impact on the formation of the female hormonal system;
- pregnancy - due to a negative effect on the fetus;
- lactation period - due to the high probability of getting into breast milk and exposure to the baby;
- individual sensitivity to active and auxiliary substances;
- uterine bleeding of unclear origin - due to an increase in their duration;
- any infectious diseases of the genitourinary system (in particular, we are talking about genital herpes);
- violation of the enzymatic activity of the gastrointestinal tract, when the process of absorption of glucose, galactose is disturbed;
- cancer of any organ - due to the likelihood of accelerating tumor growth and the appearance of metastases;
- violation of the circulatory system, when there is a tendency to increased thrombosis;
- Crohn's disease - due to a decrease in the absorption and absorption of the drug and, as a result, a decrease in the effectiveness of the drug;
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum - due to the high probability of gastric bleeding.
Features of the flow of menstruation after the "Postinor"
The course of menstruation, their very appearance, says a lot. With their appearance, we can conclude the presence of pregnancy. But it may also indicate any violations in this area. There are two possible menstrual irregularities after using the drug:
- The periods after Postinor can be delayed for up to one week (in cases when more than two weeks have passed and the periods have not started, you should immediately contact a gynecologist, as this may indicate a pregnancy or be a consequence of the negative effect of the drug on the female body) , sometimes amenorrhea occurs - the absence of menstruation, which leads to infertility;
- Strong uterine bleeding, which is a signal for contacting a medical institution.
What disorders of the menstrual cycle "Postinor" can not be used?
There are a number of menstrual irregularities in which the drug is categorically not allowed:
- plentiful and long periods;
- spotting in the middle of the cycle ;
- discharge of brown color from the cervical canal instead of menstruation;
- bleeding from the uterine cavity;
- soreness during menstruation;
- irregular menstrual cycle.
Postinor price
The cost of the drug depends on which pharmacy or pharmacy chain is sold. For those wishing to purchase Postinor, the price ranges from 228 to 281 rubles per package with two 0.75 mg tablets. The cost of the drug may vary depending on the region where you purchase it. Also, the price is different in pharmacy chains. In general, the drug is one of the available medical devices for different segments of the population.
The consequences of "Postinor" - reviews
Many women, despite the consequences of this drug, have used it and continue to use it. There are different views on the application and consequences of Postinor. Reviews about this medication are mixed. Some argue that artificial hormone really helps, others are not so sure. According to women, Postinor, whose price is relatively low, is not always effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy. On the contrary, in some cases, he can only strengthen it.
There is evidence that the drug can postpone the period of menstruation. But this is not scientific information, so using it for these purposes is very unsafe. The consequences of "Postinor", women's reviews indicate this, may be aggravated as a result of not following the instructions. Sometimes women, having a great fear of pregnancy, can take pills, forgetting about the rules of use. It is worth "pulling yourself together", focus on your condition and try to protect your health. Scanty periods may appear after Postinor. This is not an indicator of a pregnancy that has nevertheless begun; such a phenomenon may indicate the occurrence of side effects from the drug.
"Postinor", the use of which is not a panacea for the occurrence of pregnancy, is reflected in the health status of a woman. To prevent pregnancy, you can protect yourself in other ways, such as a condom, then there will be no risk of side effects of the drug.