EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION: BEST PRACTICES

Dr. Claude Allouche, Gynecologist Contraception urgence 3 engl
Ahuza Clinic, Raanana
058 726 02 64

After Taking the “Morning-After Pill”

  • It is essential to use a condom during every sexual encounter until your next period.

  • If the chosen emergency contraception method is the insertion of a copper IUD, this device will act as regular contraception.

  • Otherwise, you will need to choose a regular contraception method.

  • Taking hormonal emergency contraception generally does not change the timing of your period, but it may cause a slight delay.

  • Until your next period, a local contraceptive (e.g., condoms) must be used because emergency contraception only works for sexual intercourse that occurred BEFORE taking the pill.

  • If your period is more than 5 days late, a pregnancy test will help determine whether it is due to an ongoing pregnancy or just a delayed period.

  • If you become pregnant despite taking hormonal emergency contraception, the pregnancy can continue, as no risk of fetal malformation has been identified with ulipristal or levonorgestrel.

Emergency Contraception After Missing a Birth Control Pill

  • If you used hormonal emergency contraception due to a missed birth control pill, continue taking your usual birth control as scheduled.

    • As soon as you realize the missed pill, resume your usual pack from the last missed pill (the one where you stopped).

    • Continue taking your pill as usual.

    • Example: If you forgot your pill on the 12th and 13th of the month, take the pill from the 12th when you resume on the 14th, and continue the pack until the end.

    • Emergency contraception only works for unprotected sex that happened before taking the pill.

    • Even if you continue your usual birth control, it will not be effective for the rest of this cycle.

    • You must use a condom for every sexual encounter until your next period to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

    • Your contraception will become effective again only with the first pill of the next pack.

Menstrual Cycle After Copper IUD Insertion

  • If emergency contraception is provided through the insertion of a copper IUD, your period should occur as scheduled.
  • If your period is more than 5 days late, a pregnancy test will help determine whether it is due to an ongoing pregnancy or just a delayed period.

Choosing a Regular Contraceptive After Emergency Contraception

  • If you received emergency intrauterine contraception with a copper IUD, this serves as a long-term contraceptive. However, it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Consult your doctor for further guidance.
  • The morning-after pill is not a regular contraception method—it is an occasional solution used in specific situations.

There are many effective contraception methods to prevent unintended pregnancies: birth control pills, IUDs, contraceptive implants, condoms, etc. Every woman can choose the method that best suits her age, lifestyle, and health condition.

Consult a Doctor to:

  1. Choose a long-term contraception method.
  2. Adapt or change your contraception if your current method no longer fits your lifestyle or health condition.
  3. Get tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you have engaged in risky behavior.
  4. Take precautions against STIs, as unprotected sex exposes you to infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and chlamydia. These infections can be diagnosed through a medical consultation and additional tests.
  5. Use condoms for the first three months of a new sexual relationship, followed by an STI screening test. If you are in a stable and trusting relationship, you may decide to discontinue condom use.

HIV Prevention Measures

If you believe you have been exposed to HIV, go as soon as possible (and no later than 48 hours) to an HIV screening consultation or the emergency room of a hospital.

A doctor will assess your situation and provide guidance. Based on your knowledge of your partner and the circumstances, a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) treatment may be prescribed to reduce the risk of HIV transmission.

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đź“Ś Source: ameli.fr