How long does emergency contraceptive pills work?

Nowadays contraception has become a part of life. Almost every young couple does not want to be bound by children too early, so they will use contraception by taking medicine or other methods every time they have sex. Emergency contraceptive pills are a relatively common rescue measure. They can be taken within 72 hours after intercourse to quickly achieve the contraceptive effect, but the chance of contraceptive failure is very high after 72 hours, so contraceptive pills are only effective within 72 hours.

Methods/Steps

Emergency contraceptive pills refer to contraceptive methods used to prevent pregnancy within a period of time after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Drug contraception is the most commonly used method. Women can consider taking emergency contraceptive drugs if they suffer accidental injuries or have unprotected sex for other reasons, or if contraception fails, such as condom breakage, slippage, or incorrect calculation of the safe period. The drugs are effective within 72 hours after intercourse. If they have sex again while taking the drugs, the time must be recalculated. After healthy women of childbearing age have ruled out pregnancy, the drug should be used within 72-120 hours after sexual intercourse. The earlier it is taken, the better the effect. The failure rate is often higher if it is taken more than 72 hours.

When is emergency contraceptive effective?

A commonly used type of emergency contraceptive is a single progestin, the ingredient of which is levonorgestrel, and both are over-the-counter drugs. This type of medicine is represented by Xinsino Pills and Yuting. Each tablet of Xinsinuo Pills contains 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel. Take 2 pills orally at a time within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure; or take 1 pill for the first time, and then take the second pill after 12 hours. The earlier you take the medicine, the better the effect of preventing pregnancy. No need to fast before or after taking it. Another type of emergency contraceptive pill is antiprogestin. The most commonly used one is Houdingnuo. In addition, there are Simian tablets, Biyun capsules, Huadian tablets, etc. The active ingredient is mifepristone, and they are all prescription drugs.

Also available in a 25 mg strength. Only one tablet of this medicine needs to be taken, and fasting is required for 2 hours before and after taking the medicine. The chance of pregnancy after taking the medicine can be reduced to 1.4%. There are few side effects, but the side effects are large. Some people experience changes in their menstrual periods. If vomiting occurs within two hours after taking the medicine, if the medicine is vomited out, you need to take the same dose of medicine once.

Emergency contraceptive pills are usually taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse, and then another pill 12 hours later. The earlier you take it, the better the effect. What you need to pay attention to is that when taking medicine, you should generally take it on an empty stomach or do not eat for two hours after taking it, so as not to affect the efficacy of the medicine.