Pregnancy & Emergency Contraceptive Pill
The emergency contraceptive pill is a high dose of hormones used to prevent a completed pregnancy in the absence of other birth control methods. These hormones thicken the cervical mucus, prevent the release of mature eggs and thin the lining of the uterus to prevent implantation.
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When To Take It
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Emergency contraception may be taken up to five days after the sexual intercourse has taken place. Since sperm can survive in cervical mucus for several days, it is necessary to protect against pregnancy while there is any chance of fertilization.
Preventing Ovulation
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The emergency contraceptive pill prevents any eggs from being released. However, this is only effective contraception if an egg was not released prior to taking the pill. Fertilization--and pregnancy--may still occur if this is the case.
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Cervical Mucus
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Cervical mucus in a fertile woman creates a pathway for the sperm to enter the uterus. The emergency contraceptive pill prevents pregnancy by thickening this mucus, blocking this entrance and preventing the sperm from meeting the egg.
Uterine Lining
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The emergency contraceptive pill also thins the uterine lining. This may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting, as it creates a poor environment to nurture an embryo.
Side Effects
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The side effects of the emergency contraceptive pill mimic those of early pregnancy. Nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, and spotting are all known side effects of the pill that may be mistaken for pregnancy.
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