Contraceptive Pills: Morning After Pills, Abortion Pills

Oral Contraceptive pills or birth control pills offer protection against unwanted pregnancies. One of the types of contraceptive pills is the emergency contraceptive pill. It is also known as the morning after pill and offers women emergency birth control solutions, thereby avoiding unwanted pregnancies. It offers a safe alternative to the unsafe abortions or MTPs (Medical Termination of Pregnancies). More often than not abortions and MTPs come with the associated trauma and complications.

The morning after pills like I-pill, EC Pill, E pill, and Pill 72 all offer emergency birth control solutions. The emergency contraceptive pills need to be taken within 72 hours or earlier of unprotected intimacy. You can buy morning after pills easily as most of them are OTC pills and generally do not need a doctor’s prescription.

However, remember that the emergency pill is not a regular contraceptive pill and it should be used only in case of accidental intimacy. The side-effects of morning after pill may include vomiting, nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain; gastrointestinal upsets and in very rare cases may cause ectopic pregnancy.

Abortion pill is another type of contraceptive pill available in the market. The pill is taken in order to abort the pregnancy. It can be taken to induce abortion only if a woman is less than 49 days pregnant. It means that the moment one realizes one is pregnant after missing a regular period then the abortion pill can be taken. The abortion pill works by opening the cervix and causing mild contractions. It softens the uterus and causes it to dilate and expel the embryo. The embryo is generally expelled anywhere between 4 to 24 hours after taking the abortion pill.

Side effects of taking this pill include nausea, headache, weakness, deep cramps and bleeding. However, it is absolutely advisable to take a doctor’s advice before trying the abortion pill. If done without proper medical attention it may lead to severe complications.