The morning after pill is a safe option to prevent pregnancy if you have unprotected sex. However, taking it remains taboo and hampered by many received ideas. We take stock.
The morning after pill may be a safe and effective way to avoid pregnancy in the event of forgetfulness or failure of contraception, many young women are unaware of how this emergency contraceptive works, nor in what time frame it can be used. .
This was revealed a survey carried out by Santé Publique France beginning of July with women aged 15 to 29. 40% of them think that emergency contraception is only active within 24 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. Only 1% of respondents gave the correct answer: emergency contraception can be taken within five days of intercourse.
Fear of a health risk
If they are insufficiently informed of the deadlines for taking the morning after pill, 60% of women under 30 think that it presents a “health risk” and 54.3% consider it dangerous. “This result is undoubtedly not unrelated to the ‘pill crisis’ which occurred in 2013 which directly impacted this age group in its use of contraception”, analyzes the agency in its report.
Sometimes this fear is fueled by the pharmacists themselves. In an edifying article published on Wednesday July 31, Release recounts the case of a young woman to whom a pharmacist said: “Be careful, the morning after pill is three times maximum.”
However, no study mentions cases of sterility or any health risk. “These pills are completely safe. Although not intended for use as a regular contraceptive method, repeated use is safe. Women should be able to access them as often as needed,” writes theInternational Consortium for Emercency Contraception in a report dated this year.
The fear of being judged
In general, if the morning after pill remains poorly understood by young women, it is probably because it remains taboo, with some pharmacists who dispense it not hesitating to pass judgment on young women who request it. . “Do you see what it’s like to sleep with anyone?” A pharmacist asked Jeanne, 17, when she asked her for emergency contraception, the story of which is reported by Release.
The daily also tells the story of Aline, who was called irresponsible before being rewarded with one: “Expect to be sterile from swallowing it.”
Morning after pill, instructions for use
Delivered without a prescription, anonymously and free of charge for children under 15, the morning-after pill is an emergency contraceptive in the form of a tablet to be taken in a single dose after at-risk intercourse to prevent non-pregnancy. desired. Its action blocks or delays ovulation.
The earlier it is taken, the more effective the morning after pill is: 95% if taken within 24 hours, 60% if taken within 48 hours. Pills based on lenovorgestrel are effective for up to 72 hours and those based on ulipristal for up to 5 days. Nausea, headaches, stomach aches, small bleeding can occur in the days following the intake. They are temporary and not serious.
It is advisable to use condoms for at least 7 days after taking the morning after pill. If you forget a pill, refer to the instructions or seek advice from a pharmacy to find out if you can continue to take it while being protected.
It is also recommended to do a pregnancy test at least 15 days after taking the morning after pill if the periods are late or if they are less abundant.
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