Pills from pregnancy in the first 72 hours. What pills can you take so as not to get pregnant after unprotected intercourse

Birth control pills taken after intercourse are also called SOS contraception or rapid abortion. Among professionals, this method is usually called medical or drug termination of pregnancy.

These drugs can be purchased at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. This affordability, coupled with quick action and ease of use, makes post-intercourse birth control pills popular among girls. But is it worth drinking them without a doctor's recommendation, are they safe? Let's figure it out...

The principle of action of the contraceptive drug is based on the artificial stimulation of menstruation in a woman. After unprotected intercourse, the girl should take a pill according to the instructions (Postinor and Ovidon are drunk two tablets within 72 hours after sex, Rigevidon, Diana-35 and Silest are drunk three tablets each).

In fact, all these contraceptives are steroid drugs, that is, the main component in the composition is a concentrated hormone. Once in the body of a woman, the hormone starts the process of menstruation, as a result, uterine contraction occurs, the fetal egg is washed out of the cavity. It also blocks the production of progesterone, the female hormone responsible for the preservation and development of the embryo.

Benefits and lurking dangers

Of course, it is better not to bring the situation to the point that you have to use any method of terminating the pregnancy. However, if you still have unprotected sex, then taking a birth control pill is the best option. At the very least, this type of contraception is safer than surgical abortion, and here's why:

• After the correct use of the SOS contraceptive pill, complications occur less frequently than with other methods of terminating a pregnancy.
• Recovery is fast (faster than after a surgical abortion).
• The medical abortion procedure does not require the woman to be hospitalized.
• From one course of serious changes in the work of the hormonal system does not occur.

Despite the fact that rapid birth control pills are considered safer than surgical abortion, they are still not completely harmless. Contraceptive drugs interfere with the natural workings of the body and cause stress. In addition, they do not give a 100% guarantee of the removal of a fertilized egg from the uterus. That is why after taking the pill you need to go to the doctor - it is important to make sure that the drug worked correctly.

It is worth remembering about contraindications to taking pills. This method of contraception should not be taken:

1. People with allergies to components (before taking, study the composition!).
2. Women with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
3. When pregnant at a later date than indicated in the instructions.
4. With various inflammatory, tumor, cystic processes.
5. With violations in the work of the circulatory system, especially with problems with blood clotting.

Overview of Common Tools

Contraceptive pills taken after intercourse are of two types - with a moderate and high concentration of the hormone. The first group of contraceptives includes the previously mentioned Postinor, Ovidon, Rigevidon, Silest. They can be found in the general sale. They are taken within 70-72 hours of unprotected sex.

If more time has passed after intercourse, then it is useless to take the listed contraceptive pills. For a period of 1 to 6 weeks, you can take stronger drugs, such as Mifepristone (the drug has other names - Mifegin, Mifolian). This is a powerful tool, so it is prescribed by a doctor.

There are many pills for urgent termination of pregnancy at the earliest stages. However, they are all similar. Their main difference, as a rule, is the concentration of the hormone. Here is a brief overview of the most common drugs:

• Postinor.

1. Composition: 0.75 mg levonorgestrel.
2. Form: the package contains a blister with two birth control pills.
3. Usage: 1 tablet within 72 hours of unprotected sex and another 12 hours after taking the first.
4. Price: 350–390 rubles.

• Ovidon (another name: Non-Ovlon).

1. Manufacturer: Gedeon Richter, Hungary.
2. Composition: levonorgestrel 0.25 mg + ethinylestradiol 0.05 mg.
3. Application: immediately within 12 hours after sexual intercourse, you must take the first dose of 2 tablets, repeat after 12 hours.
4. Price: from 450–510 rubles per pack.

• Ginepriston.

1. Manufacturer: CJSC Obninsk Chemical-Pharmaceutical Company, Russia.
2. Composition: mifepristone 0.01 g.
3. Form: the package contains a blister with 1 contraceptive pill.
4. Directions: Take 1 tablet within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
5. Price: 360–390 rubles.

• Rigevidon.

1. Composition: ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg and levonorgestrel 0.15 mg.
2. Application: two doses of three tablets within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
3. Price: from 230 rubles.

• Escapelle.

1. Producer: Gedeon Richter, Hungary.
2. Composition: levonorgestrel 1.5 mg.
3. Form: one tablet per pack.
4. Application: Accepted one by one. within 72 hours after intercourse.
5. Price: from 410 rubles.

Don't forget to visit the doctor

To minimize the risk of rapid abortion drugs, be sure to see your doctor within two weeks of your mini-abortion, even if you feel well and have no cause for concern. Only a doctor can determine whether everything went as it should. The fact is that abortion pills do not give a 100% result - there is a small chance that despite the provoked menstruation, the pregnancy will still continue to develop or the fetal egg will not come out completely and part of it will remain in the uterus and provoke inflammation.

It is worth remembering that birth control pills taken after intercourse are an emergency remedy. It is not suitable as a permanent method of contraception. It should not be taken more than once every six months. If you drink the drug more often, then a hormonal failure will occur, which can subsequently become the main cause of problems with conceiving and bearing a child.

Be mindful of the time

Another point: the earlier the pill is drunk, the more likely it is to work. Although the package says to drink it within 72 hours of unprotected sex, don't take too long. It is better to take the remedy not on the next day, but immediately after intercourse. During the first two hours, the probability of complete washing out of the fertilized cell is 94%. After 3-12 hours, the probability drops to 84%. After 24-48 hours - up to 80%. After 48-72 hours - up to 58%.

To summarize: termination of pregnancy with pills in the first days after intercourse is the safest of all permitted types of abortion. However, it is not at all harmless, as many girls think, and you should not use it often. It is better not to bring the situation to this point and take care of a suitable contraceptive before sexual intercourse.

Most pregnancy protection methods only work if you take care to use them BEFORE intercourse. For example, it makes no sense to start taking birth control pills if sex has already happened. It's no smarter than putting on a condom after a man ejaculates.

Emergency contraception is a method of preventing pregnancy when unprotected intercourse has already taken place.

When will emergency contraception help?

Emergency contraception can help prevent unwanted pregnancy in the following situations:

• If you have had unprotected sex
• If during sex and you didn't notice it in time
• If you missed 2 or more

Rules for emergency contraception

• Almost any emergency contraceptive should be taken no later than 72 hours after intercourse. If more than 3 days have passed after sex, then the drug will be ineffective.
• If 3-5 days have passed after sex, then you can contact a gynecologist who will put an intrauterine device. An intrauterine device is a device that is inserted into the uterine cavity and prevents pregnancy.
• Before taking any emergency contraceptive, you should consult with your gynecologist.
• Some diseases of the digestive system (such as Crohn's disease), as well as taking other medicines, can reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraception. These medicines are listed in the emergency contraceptive product label.

What pills will help not get pregnant after sex?

There are several drugs that are classified as emergency contraceptives. We will consider each of them separately.

Postinor

Postinor is the oldest and most well-known emergency contraceptive among women. This drug contains a loading dose of the hormone levongestrel, which prevents the attachment of a fertilized egg in the uterus.

One tablet of Postinor contains 750 micrograms of levongestrel. In order for the effect of Postinor to be maximum, you need to drink 2 tablets with a difference of 12-16 hours.

It is necessary to take the first dose of Postinor in the first 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner you take the first pill, the higher the likelihood that Postinor will help avoid pregnancy. So, on the first day after sex, the drug will work in 95% of cases, if the interval between sexual intercourse and taking Postinor was 24-48 hours, then in 85% of cases, and if more - only in 58% of cases. Taking Postinor later than 72 hours after intercourse will not bring any effect.

12-16 hours after taking the first tablet, you must definitely drink the second Postinor tablet. If you vomit a few hours after taking the first or second tablet, you need to take another tablet.

Postinor can cause menstrual irregularities, early or late menstruation, chest pain, spotting. The presence or absence of menstruation (or discharge) after taking Postinor does not indicate its effectiveness.

You can be sure that you are not pregnant only by making at least 3.5 weeks after intercourse. You can find out if there is a pregnancy before by passing. This can be done as early as 11 days after unprotected sex. Postinor does not distort the results of a pregnancy test or a blood test for hCG.

If the menstruation did not come on time and lasts more than 5 days, take a pregnancy test and consult a gynecologist.

If Postinor did not help?

If you took Postinor, but pregnancy still occurred, contact your gynecologist. Taking this drug increases the risk, so you need to get a test that will show where the fetus is located.

Taking Postinor, as a rule, does not adversely affect the development of the child, so there is no need to terminate the pregnancy (abortion). If you decide to have an abortion, let your doctor know.

Escapelle

WARNING: The drug has contraindications. Do not start using this drug without first talking to your doctor.

Escapel, like Postinor, contains a large dose of the hormone levongestrel, which prevents the fertilized egg from gaining a foothold in the uterus. The only difference is that one tablet of Escapel contains 150 mg of levongestrel, and you need to take this drug only once.

Escapel should be taken no later than 72 hours after sexual intercourse. The greatest efficiency is observed if the pill is drunk on the first day after unprotected sex.

Escapelle may cause nausea or vomiting. If you have vomited within 3 hours of taking the tablet, then you need to take another dose of Escapelle.

As a result of taking Exapel, there may be a failure of the menstrual cycle, the appearance of spotting, chest pain. If your period is more than 5 days late, a pregnancy test is recommended. Escapelle does not affect the result of a pregnancy test.

If Escapelle did not help?

If pregnancy still occurs, consult a gynecologist. The doctor will perform an ultrasound and specify where the fetus is located. If the pregnancy is proceeding normally, then there is no need to interrupt it, since taking Escapel does not affect the development of the fetus and the course of pregnancy. If you do decide to have an abortion, tell your gynecologist about it.

How often can I take Postinor and Escapel?

Postinor and Escapel are intended for emergency situations and cannot be used for regular contraception. However, these drugs can be taken as many times as necessary, even if the need arose a second time within the same menstrual cycle. There are no studies that would prove the unsafety of repeated use of Postinor or Escapel.

If you often need to take Postinor or Escapel, you need to seriously think about what is right for you.

How many days Postinor and Escapel protect against pregnancy?

Postinor and Escapel act only after sexual intercourse has taken place. Any subsequent unprotected intercourse may provoke pregnancy, even if you have recently taken Postinor or Escapelle.

What happens if you take Postinor or Escapel during pregnancy?

These drugs are ineffective if pregnancy has already occurred. Taking Postinor or Escapel during pregnancy will not lead to its termination.

Ginepristone and Genale

WARNING: The drug has contraindications. Do not start using this drug without first talking to your doctor.

These are modern means of emergency contraception that do not contain hormones, do not cause menstrual cycle failure and other side effects, while being highly effective.

Both of these drugs contain the same substance in the same dose. The only difference is the manufacturer. Ginepristone and Genale contain the active ingredient Mifepristone at a dose of 10 mg. Mifepristone, unlike Postinor and Escapel, is not a hormone, but it also prevents pregnancy by preventing the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine cavity.

Ginepriston or Genale tablets should be taken within the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. The sooner you take the drug, the more effective it will be. If the pill is taken in the first 12 hours after sex, then the effectiveness of the drug will be about 98%, if on the first day, then 95%, if later - 85-90%. These drugs are not effective if pregnancy has already occurred.

Important: in order for the drug to be as effective as possible, you should drink a tablet of Ginepristone or Genale 2 hours after eating and do not eat for 2 hours after taking the pill. Within a week after taking the pill, it is not recommended to take Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Indomethacin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

If Ginepriston or Genale did not help?

It often happens that sexual intercourse occurs unplanned, when neither the boy nor the girl has any contraceptives with them. Or, for example, the "barrier" method does not work, that is, the condom breaks. What to do in this situation? It is impossible to hope "for chance". Action must be taken immediately. It is best to go to the gynecologist the next morning after "unprotected" intercourse to resolve the issue of emergency contraception.

"Pills after intercourse" is primarily intended to prevent pregnancy as a result of unprotected intimacy and includes various methods and drugs. The essence of this contraception is to prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus and starting to develop.

WHEN EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS ARE USED

* You did not use any contraceptives;
* Coitus interruptus;
* The condom broke;
* You did not make a contraceptive injection on time;
* missed taking one or more birth control pills or started a new pack late;
* You were forced to have sex.

Emergency contraception -
a chance to prevent unwanted pregnancy without abortion!

* For how long is it applicable?
Emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy within the first 72-96 hours.

* What is their composition?
These drugs contain estrogen, a corpus luteum hormone, or a combination of both. However, due to the need for quick and successful help, these drugs contain a larger amount of the hormone compared to the daily dose of contraceptive pills used in recent years for regular use.

* How do they work?
Depending on when such a contraceptive drug is used, it affects the rupture of the follicles, prevents the conception and / or implantation of the egg. The drug does not affect the already implanted fertilized egg and, therefore, the development of intrauterine pregnancy.

* How effective are emergency birth control pills?
They are very effective in emergencies, although 100% protection cannot be achieved. After a single intercourse with the correct use of these drugs, pregnancy develops in 2 out of 100 women.

* Are there any contraindications to their use?
Due to the fact that they are used to prevent possible abortion or surgery, there are no absolute contraindications to their use. If you need to use them, you should always consult a doctor!

* How to use emergency contraceptive pills?
The drug should be started within the first 72 hours after intercourse. The drug is taken twice with an interval of 12 hours. It is advisable to take the first dose at such a time that the second dose is taken during the daytime hours. It is impossible to delay taking the pill, as this reduces the effectiveness of the drug.

* What side effects can occur?
Most often, nausea or vomiting occurs. Less common are headache, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, or a feeling of tension in the mammary glands; these phenomena usually resolve within 24 hours. In the days following the administration of the drug, bleeding may occur, in most cases of a spotting nature.

* Do they affect the timing of menstruation?
In most cases, menstruation appears at the expected time, sometimes a few days earlier or later. If the delay exceeds a week, pregnancy is suspected.

What are emergency contraceptives?

Disadvantages of pills after the act

Means of "fire" contraception are completely useless in the process of attaching an egg to the uterus. Therefore, effectiveness can be observed only if the drug is taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.

Best emergency contraception

mifepristone. This drug is not hormonal. Its action is aimed at suppressing the female hormone at the level of receptors in the uterus and increasing the contraction of its muscles. Mifepristone (Ginepristone, Genale) is by far the best and most effective means of emergency contraception. It blocks the egg so that it cannot enter the uterine lining, and also stimulates its rejection. Mifepristone should only be used after consulting a doctor.

Warning:
Birth control pills after intercourse do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. If you suspect that you have been exposed to an STI, you should contact your doctor immediately. "Pills after the act" do not affect an existing pregnancy and cannot cause its artificial interruption!

• What is mifepristone-72 tablet used for emergency contraception?

Mifepristone - 72 - a drug with an experimentally selected dosage of the active substance, which helps prevent unwanted pregnancy. If Mifepristone - 72 tablets are used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse in accordance with the instructions, in most cases it is possible to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.

Tablets contain mifepristone 10 mg. Mifepristone is a synthetic steroid antiprogestogenic agent (blocks the action of progesterone at the receptor level), does not have gestagenic activity. The effect of mifepristone is due to blocking the action of progesterone at the receptor level, depending on the phase of the menstrual cycle, it causes inhibition of ovulation, changes in the endometrium and prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg. Mifepristone - 72 at a dosage of 60 times more is successfully used for medical termination of pregnancy with the full preservation of the reproductive function of a woman in the future.

• How long does it take to apply?

Mifepristone-72, used in emergency contraception, provides the ability to prevent unwanted pregnancy within 72-120 hours after "unprotected" intercourse. Therefore, in emergency situations, in cases of unprotected sexual intercourse or inappropriate use of the chosen method of contraception, a woman has 3-5 days at her disposal to contact a gynecologist and receive assistance. At the same time, it is undesirable to postpone a visit to the gynecologist and taking the pill for emergency contraception, as this may reduce its effectiveness.

• Mifepristone-72 - how to use, price, cost?

• How should it be applied?

One tablet of Mifepristone-72 is taken orally (by mouth) within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. To maintain blood concentration, you should refrain from eating two hours before use and two hours after it. Mifepristone-72 can be used at any time during the menstrual cycle. In case of vomiting, you should consult a doctor. It is advisable to mark the date of the last menstruation, the date of taking the pill and the date of the next menstruation on the calendar, which will help evaluate the effectiveness of the drug.

• How does the tablet work?

It competes with progesterone and blocks receptors. In women with a stable menstrual cycle, the effect of mifepristone depends on the time of administration in relation to the menstrual cycle. In the follicular phase, mifepristone delays ovulation (slows down the release of the egg or prevents the release of the egg) and delays the onset of menstruation by 2-3 days. When mifepristone is used in the first half of the luteal phase, it blocks progesterone receptors in the endometrium. This prevents the development of secretion in the endometrium, which leads to the creation of a fertilized egg unfavorable for implantation. The onset of menstruation occurs from the direct effect of mifepristone on progesterone receptors located on the endometrium, independent of luteolysis. The drug in this dosage does not affect the already implanted, fertilized egg.

• How effective is the pill?

Mifepristone-72 provides very effective help in an emergency. Its effectiveness is higher than that of Postinor and is 80-90%, while all possible side effects of Postinor are absent (See - "Which is better - Postinor or Ginepristone (Mifepristone)?").

• What adverse events may occur? .

Feeling of discomfort in the lower abdomen, weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, hyperthermia (extremely rare) Mifepristone-72 has been found to have fewer side effects than other methods of emergency contraception, such as Postinor. The low rate (about 10%) of side effects makes mifepristone-72 (gynepristone) an attractive choice over other available methods.

• Does it have an effect on the time of the appearance of menstruation?

Most (80-85%) women have their next period on time or a few days earlier or later. If the period does not appear a week after the expected date, pregnancy is suspected, so you need to re-contact your doctor.

• When should Mifepristone-72 not be taken?

Since the tablet used in emergency cases is intended to avoid the threat of abortion, only an established pregnancy is practically a contraindication, since this method does not have the effect of medical termination of pregnancy.

If, after using the Mifepristone-72 tablet, sexual intercourse occurs without contraceptive measures, then the protective effect of the tablet no longer applies to it. If you need to use an emergency contraceptive pill, you can contact our medical center to a gynecologist for a preliminary consultation and gynecological examination. because this will avoid possible side effects and complications.

ATTENTION! THE DRUG MIFEPRISTONE-72 IS NO LONGER SUPPLIED TO RUSSIA. ITS ANALOG WITH SIMILAR PROPERTIES - GINEPRISTONE!

Many women plan motherhood ahead of time and often deliberately try to delay the event. In the modern world, there are a number of contraceptives that help to avoid fertilization. But due to various circumstances, couples do not always use them during intimacy. Therefore, emergency contraception may be needed. In this case, anti-pregnancy pills, which must be taken within 72 hours, will help.

Experts warn that such funds are dangerous to use uncontrollably. Their use is allowed

In critical situations, when the risk of unwanted conception is high. Justified use in such cases:

• after rape;


• if oral contraceptives were missed;


• in the case when the condom broke or slipped during intercourse.

• with pathologies of the liver, kidneys;


• if pregnancy has already occurred;


• with lactation;


• if there was a history of ectopic pregnancy;


• have problems with blood clotting.

In addition, each type of pill for unwanted pregnancy, which is taken within 72 hours, additionally has other contraindications. Therefore, these remedies cannot be considered harmless and used every time when there is a possibility of conception.

Many women are interested in knowing what drugs exist that can be taken after sex and thus avoid fertilization. Such funds are divided into two groups.

1. containing levonorgestrel. To prevent pregnancy, this progestogen works in this way:
   
   
   • under its influence, the cervical fluid becomes viscous, and this prevents the movement of spermatozoa;
   
   
   • does not allow the transition of the endometrium into the phase that is necessary for ovulation;
   
   
   • levonorgestrel reduces contractions of the fallopian tubes, as a result, the time for which the egg enters the uterus increases greatly;
   
   
   • if the drug is taken before ovulation, then the drug delays it or blocks it.
   
   

Pregnancy pills for taking within 72 hours include Postinor, Escapel. These are the most popular drugs. It is advisable to drink Postinor up to 2 days after intercourse, and 12 hours after the first dose, you need to take another one. Escapelle is used no later than 3 days after intimacy. If, after 3 hours after ingestion, there was an attack of vomiting, then another dose of the drug will be required. A less popular, but also effective levonorgestrel-based drug is Eskinor F. The drug is taken in the same way as Escapel.

containing mifepristone. Medicines that contain this antigestagen prevent gestation in the following ways:

• lead to ovulation disorders;


• increase the contractility of the uterus, which provokes the expulsion of the egg from the uterus, which is ready to be introduced into the walls;


• lead to such changes in the endometrium that prevent implantation.

It is worth listing some names of pregnancy pills to be taken no later than 72 hours containing mifepristone. These include Mifolian, Genale. They should be drunk once, as soon as possible after coitus. Before taking it is necessary to refrain from eating for 2 hours.

A woman should remember that all these remedies can harm her health. It is better to decide in advance for yourself the issue with safer contraception, so that you do not have to use emergency.

It is usually customary to protect yourself before sexual intercourse, but different situations happen in life ... The condom burst ... Turned my head, and forgot about everything ... Interrupted intercourse did not work out ... There are doubts about the contraceptive used ...

For all these situations, there are emergency methods of protection called postcoital.

Such tablets can be taken within three days after intercourse. The performance will be the higher, the less time passes after the act.

Table of the effectiveness of contraceptives

To ensure that conception is prevented after unprotected intercourse, a large concentration of hormonal substances is required, so this option of contraceptives cannot be taken constantly. They are only for SOS cases. According to medical data and WHO recommendations, during the year, a woman can resort to emergency measures no more than three times.

When do women seek emergency help?

It is worth using postcoital contraception in every case when pregnancy is undesirable.

This is necessary even with a regular partner if contact has taken place, but at the moment you or he is taking certain drugs that can cause abnormalities in the development of the fetus. These include:

• Antibiotics, especially tetracyclines.
• Contraceptives less than six months ago.
• Valproic acid and drugs based on it for the treatment of epilepsy.
• Steroids.
• Beta blockers.
• Antiviral.
• Antihelminthic.

Certain diseases, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, syphilis, rubella, serious disorders of the thyroid gland or kidneys, can also become indications. There is a chance of conception if you are taking oral contraceptives but missed a few doses. "Casual" one-night stands or violence that you don't want to have a baby after are also good reasons for emergency protection.

Unplanned pregnancy is a very common event. Of all the cases of conception in the world, 66% are unplanned. Therefore, if you are sure that in any case you will interrupt the gestation, it is better to take pills. Preventing conception is much more humane for a possible baby and safer for a woman than abortion..

Contraindications

Like any hormonal drugs, contraceptives after intercourse introduce an imbalance in the woman's body. In this case, there may be a deterioration in well-being.

• Nausea.
• Weakness, dizziness.
• Bleeding.
• Pain in the lower abdomen.
• Stomach upset.
• Dryness in the vagina.
• Eruptions on the skin.
• Puffiness.
• Severe headaches.
• Violations in the blood circulation system, up to a heart attack.

In the future, you can observe changes in the monthly cycle, failures in menstruation. The consequences are especially pronounced after 35 years and in those women who smoke. If you use drugs too often, then over time there is a threat of ectopic pregnancy or miscarriages.

The body will take time to recover and return to a balanced state. The optimal interval between tablets is three to six months..

Contraindications to emergency contraception are:

• Problems with blood clotting and a tendency to bleed.
• Young age - up to sixteen years.
• Lactation.
• Low hemoglobin.
• Serious liver and kidney disease.

Mechanism of action

You should know that contraceptives after sex have two mechanisms of action and the choice can make a fundamental difference on the moral side.

1. First group- prevents ovulation, that is, it does not allow the egg to ripen and come out, so conception does not occur in principle.
2. Second group- does not allow an already fertilized egg to attach to the uterus, which for opponents of abortion and believers is equivalent to murder.

The first group includes drugs with a progestogen effect. They are similar to the female hormones produced by the corpus luteum and adrenal glands during pregnancy. Substances prevent the pituitary gland from producing elements that provoke the maturation of the egg. It is for this reason that women do not have periods during gestation. They also make the vaginal mucus thick and difficult for sperm to move through. These pills are effective during the first half of the cycle up to three days before ovulation. If the egg has already left the ovary, progestin contraceptives become useless.

The second group includes substances with an antiprogestogenic effect. They act in two ways. On the one hand, like the previous group, they inhibit the maturation of the egg, on the other hand, they block the hormones that make the uterus a suitable place for the maturation of the fetus. In order for the egg to merge with the endometrium, a number of changes occur in the mucosa, which stop antigestagens. In parallel, they increase muscle contraction, pushing the zygote out of the organ cavity.

This group also includes intrauterine devices with copper. Their installation should take place no later than 120 hours after sex. 99% protection efficiency. The spiral prevents the egg from attaching, and also changes the environment in and around the uterus, making it unsuitable for sperm. The method is not recommended for nulliparous. Also, not all women tolerate implantation well, the spiral causes uterine bleeding (24%), severe inflammation (4%) and uterine perforation (0.5%).

Let's take a closer look at the pills from each group and determine which ones are most suitable after unprotected intercourse.

Birth control pills after intercourse within 72 hours

Drugs that delay the release of the egg are released on the basis of levonorgestrel. Trade names may vary:

• Eskinor F.
• Escapelle.
• Gravistat.
• Microlute.
• Postinor.

Substances that protect the uterus from the fetal egg are made using mefipristone.

• Genale.
• Miropriston.
• Mifegin.

Another group is combined drugs with levonorgestrel and estradiol.. They are allowed to be taken as permanent oral contraceptives. Due to the presence of estradiol, they regulate the monthly cycle and lead to the onset of menstruation before the maturation of the egg - rejection of the endometrium. When used as an emergency, the dosage must be strictly observed so as not to cause uterine bleeding. These include:

• Triziston.
• Triquilar.
• Trinordiol.
• Gravistat 125.
• Klimonorm.
• Microgynon.
• Minisistron.
• Miranova.
• Anteovin.
• Silest.
• Non-Ovlon.

Despite the use of the same active substance, different drugs are tolerated differently. It depends on the auxiliary components, the degree of purification, the concentration of the active component. Consider the most effective in the opinion of women and physicians.

Good and effective birth control pills after the act: a list with names

Postinor

It is considered the best drug in terms of efficacy and tolerability by the body. Contains synthetic levonorgestrel, an analogue of the natural hormone. Helps to avoid unwanted pregnancy by slowing down ovulation. Good for women with regular cycles.

It is not used as a permanent contraceptive because it contains a higher dose of progestogen than conventional medicines for every day. However, less than in some drugs of similar action.

It is best to take the pill in the first two days after contact. Drink the remedy twice. The first tablet during the first or second day and another one twelve hours after the first. If vomiting occurs, and two hours have not passed after using the contraceptive, the dose is repeated. Due to the low concentration of the active substance, this combination is allowed twice a month.

Do not prescribe the drug to women with cholecystitis and liver disease. Treatment with antibiotics (tetracyclines and ampicillins) reduces the effectiveness of protection. After using Postinor, nausea is observed, there is a lack of menstruation for some time, as well as spotting between menstruation. The cost of a package containing two tablets of the product is about 350 rubles.

Escapelle

Two pills include a high concentration of the active ingredient - levonorgestrel (1.5 mg). Take them simultaneously or sequentially with an interval of 12 hours. In this case, the efficiency will be different. If you drink two tablets at once within three days, then the probability of becoming pregnant will be 16%. When taken at intervals, it all depends on the timing of the start of treatment. By the last third day, the probability of protecting yourself from an unplanned pregnancy is only 58%.

It should be understood that the severity of side effects with a double dose is much higher. They consist of migraine and loss of consciousness, weakness, pain in the lower abdomen and nausea, bleeding in 10% of cases and more often.

There is evidence of a decrease in the effectiveness of treatment in obesity. Do not use Escapel if there is severe liver failure. The drug does not affect the development of the child, if you did not know about the pregnancy that had already begun, the medicine will not affect the baby. Three hundred rubles costs one pack of 2 pieces of 0, 75 or one piece of 1.5 mg.

Ginepriston

Includes 10 milligrams of mifepristone. According to studies, this is the optimal dose, increasing the concentration does not increase the effectiveness of the drug. Pills work by blocking the receptors for progesterone, the hormone of pregnancy. As a result, the body does not undergo the changes necessary to start the development of the baby. Starts to work very quickly. The maximum concentration in the blood is observed after an hour and a half.

Do not use for inflammation of the genital organs, anemia, bronchial asthma and renal failure. The action is opposite to glucocorticosteroids (inhalations for asthma, drugs for the treatment of joints), therefore, Ginepristone is not used during therapy with these drugs. Also, after a course of contraception, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (analgin, ibufen) are not prescribed for two weeks.

To get the maximum effect, you should not eat for two hours before and after taking the Ginepristone tablet. One tablet costs 180 rubles.

Mifepristone

Mifepristone concentrated preparation - 10 or 200 mg in each pill. It is used not only for protection, but also for medical abortion, up to 1.5 months of pregnancy, as well as stimulation of childbirth. The active substance does not allow the egg to be fixed, delays ovulation, significantly increases the contractile activity of the uterus. In combination with prostaglandin, the strength of the muscles increases. The drug is used in the treatment of certain cancers and uterine nodes, by blocking progesterone receptors.

For protection use 10 mg once. May lead to exacerbation of inflammatory processes in the genital organs, vomiting, diarrhea. It is considered a strong drug in a pharmacy released by prescription.

Combined birth control pills after sex

Ovidon

Combined agent based on ethinylestradiol (0.05) and levonorgistrel (0.25). Causes changes in the fallopian tubes, cervical canal, endometrium, ovaries. The latter are at rest, and the endometrium temporarily atrophies. It works as efficiently as possible - 100% obstacle to pregnancy.

However, there is a large list of contraindications, including:

• Feeding a child.
• Pathology of the heart.
• Diabetes.
• Hypertension.
• Thrombosis.
• anemia.
• Diseases of the gallbladder.

For permanent oral contraception, one tablet is used, and for urgent, up to 4 tablets at once, for example, 2 tablets with a break of 12 hours.

Consequences of taking postcoital contraceptive pills

You should carefully approach the choice of partners and monitor your safety. Unprotected intercourse is dangerous for a woman with its consequences, both in the case of an abortion and in emergency care. The use of postcoital contraception can permanently unsettle and damage health. Many women experience:

• Severe paroxysmal migraine headaches.
• Violations of the cycle with delays up to a week or more.
• Bleeding after taking and in between periods.
• Problems with bearing up to infertility.
• Thrombus formation.
• risk of ectopic pregnancy.

Therefore, whenever possible, the use of these drugs should be reduced or completely eliminated. If the reception cannot be avoided, then you should carefully study the contraindications and accurately calculate the dose, not exceeding it.