Emergency Contraception

It’s no secret that many young Kenyan ladies misuse emergency contraceptives, commonly known as the ‘morning after’ pill. As a result, a good number have had to deal with ugly side effects.

So, what is the e-pill, and how should it be used? A woman should only use emergency contraception if she has had unprotected vaginal intercourse. In this case, the word unprotected also means that the woman is not on any other birth control method.

How does emergency contraception work?

1. Since the pill is taken within 72 hours after sex, it has hormones that prevent pregnancy by:

• Slowing down the sperm so that fertilization doesn’t happen
• Inhibiting or delaying ovulation

2. However, if fertilization has already taken place or you are already pregnant, the e-pill doesn’t work.
3. So, if you really want to stop conception, practice abstinence and if you must, use it within the recommended hours as shared above, soon after penetrative sex

Types of E-pills available in Kenya

1. Postinor-2
2. Pregnon
3. Smart Lady
4. Ecee-2
5. Truston-2

When should you use emergency contraception?

Kindly know that you’re not supposed to use the morning after pill regularly. As the name suggests, the tablets should only be used when:

1. The condom has burst, and you’re not on safe days
2. You have been raped
3. You have been coerced to have unprotected sex, and you’re not on any other birth control method.
4. You feel that your primary way of preventing pregnancy won’t work, or you skipped taking the usual pills for a couple of days.

Facts about e-pill

1. It is available in most chemists in Kenya; so, you can buy it over the counter. It’s also cheap, especially in government facilities.
2. Feel free to use the pill at any stage of your cycle. However, if you know that you’re safe, you don’t need it.
3. You will ruin your reproductive health if you use it regularly.
4. The contraceptive is a single-dose treatment. However, you can also take the two pills in two doses.
5. It doesn’t work when the woman is already pregnant.
6. Although it’s called ‘the morning pill,’ you don’t have to wait till morning to take it. Have the first pill immediately after sex.
7. It’s approved by the Ministry of Health, so it’s legal.
8. In most cases, the side-effects will disappear within 24 hours, except for the bleeding.
9. E-pills do not prevent HIV and other STIs

Common side-effects of emergency contraceptives

1. Nausea, vomiting, and stomach upsets. If you don’t want to experience such effects, take the tablets with food.
2. Headache and dizziness
3. Breast tenderness
4. Irregular periods. You might also experience some spotting for a few days in between the periods.

Conclusion

Although emergency contraception is readily available in Kenya, resist from taking it frequently. If you are sexually active, consider other less-lethal methods of contraception.

When the side-effects persist for more than two days, kindly visit your health care provider for counseling.