"Emergency contraception" - sounds bold. The main thing is good that there is such a method that is in force to help a woman protect herself from unwanted pregnancy. But you need to know the rules, all the pros and cons. Perhaps, armed with knowledge, you simply will never have to use this method of contraception.
Purpose of emergency contraception
That emergency contraception is designed to help women of childbearing age reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies, and, consequently, the number of abortions. Naturally, we must always choose their two evils, one that is smaller. And if you go to a kind of crime in the form of an abortion, then it is better to avoid unwanted pregnancies by all means. There are cases (coercion to sexual intercourse, rape) in which the method of emergency contraception is used as an emergency measure of protection from both unwanted pregnancy and the mental trauma associated with it.
So, proceeding from the above, it can be concluded that "fire" contraception should be used only in extreme, emergency cases, when the usual means of protection from unwanted pregnancy are already ineffective.
Indications for use of emergency contraception
So, emergency contraception is an extraordinary measure of protection from unwanted pregnancy. As a rule, it is used in the following cases:
- in case of rape;
- if the integrity of the condom is damaged;
- when the diaphragm is displaced, which is used as a contraceptive;
- with partial or complete loss of the intrauterine device;
- in case of missed oral contraceptives (contraceptive pills);
- with rare sexual contacts;
- in the case of sexual intercourse without the use of contraceptives.
Contraindications to emergency contraception
The main contraindications in taking medications for emergency contraception are the same as for any other oral contraceptives. It:
- thrombophlebitis;
- a thromboembolism in the anamnesis;
- bleeding of unclear etiology;
- severe liver disease;
- breast cancer or endometrium;
- intensive smoking;
- age over 35 years.
Rules for using the method of emergency contraception
When using emergency contraception, it is necessary to take into account the fact that they are effective when applied as early as possible after unprotected intercourse. The period in which it will not be too late to drink a "fire pill" is 24-72 hours after sexual intercourse.
Mechanism of action
Most experts believe that emergency contraceptive preparations, above all, affect the endometrium, disrupting the process of implantation of a fertilized egg by its action. In addition, these drugs disrupt their menstrual function, they can suppress the process of ovulation, as well as the movement of a fertilized egg and its implantation into the uterine cavity.
The Yuzpe method
Canadian doctor Albert Yuspe first proposed as a means of emergency contraception combined estrogen-progestational drugs. According to the Yuzpe method, 200 μg of ethinylestradiol and 1 mg of levonorgestrel are administered twice a period of up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse with a break of 12 hours. The effectiveness of this method depends on how quickly after the unprotected sexual intercourse the contraceptive was used, and also the effectiveness is reduced if the sexual intercourse occurred on the eve or during ovulation. An important advantage of this method is the fact that the drug for emergency contraception can serve as virtually any combined hormone drug available for sale, and even low-dose.
Modern drugs for emergency contraception
Modern drugs for emergency contraception contain, above all, the levonorgestrel hormone. Such drugs are carried much easier than the above-mentioned Yuzpe method. The most affordable and available are "Postinor" and "Escapel" preparations. Their difference lies in the fact that Postinor contains levonorgestrel in a dose of 0.75 mg and a dose of 1.5 mg. Postinor, containing in one tablet a dose of 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel, should be applied twice: the first dose within 72 hours after sexual intercourse, the second dose - 12 hours after the initial application. "Escapel" containing 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel is used once for 96 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
conclusions
In fact, the existence of the method of emergency contraception with unprotected sexual intercourse avoids unwanted pregnancy, and, consequently, a large number of abortions. But, using "emergency" contraception, it should be remembered that "super-pill" creates a literally boom in the body, having a negative impact on menstrual function. Therefore, it is important to choose the best method for your method of regular contraception, and emergency contraception should be used only in extreme, unforeseen situations.