An I-Pill is an emergency contraceptive pill which is used in the event of unprotected inter course or any failure of the contraceptive method to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
How Does an I-Pill work?
The I-Pill contains an ingredient that prevents the production of the hormone that is responsible to start the process of fertilization. The emergency pill slows the ovulation process depending on your menstrual cycle.
However, if the egg has already been released by the ovaries then the pill works by disrupting the fertilization process. If fertilization has already occurred, the implantation (attachment) phase in the uterus avoids pregnancy by hindering it.
What most women need to remember, though, is that the morning-after pill is not a primary form of birth control and can only be used in an emergency situation.
What are the Side Effects if I-Pill?
If you take the tablet right then it is usually safe but some people may face some side effects from this pill.
These include:
Nausea
Tiredness
Headaches
Stomach cramps
Irregular Periods
Allergies
Fatigue, dizziness
Unusual vaginal bleeding
Adversely affects the libido
Rashes
Side Note :I-Pill is only a emergency contraceptive method and not an abortion pill. It is suitable for women between the ages of 20-45 and definitely not for adolescents.
When to take the pill?
This pill should only be used by women as an emergency contraceptive method and not in place of their regular birth control method.
These pills are hormonal pills and they can have adverse effects on a growing reproductive system which is why adolescents should not be advised to take these pills.
In pregnancy prevention, these pills are not 100 percent effective. These pills do not work if there has already been a pregnancy.
Emergency pills do not safeguard against the possibility of HIV-like sexually transmitted diseases. To avoid these diseases, condoms should always be used as they are safe and efficient contraceptive methods.
In what situation should I use an I-Pill?
This is a constant reminder that this is not a substitute to your regular birth control but an emergency contraceptive. You can use this pill in the following situations:
Contraceptive Failure : In case of any tears or improper use of a condom.
Forgot to take the regular birth control pill
Unprotected intercourse: Many times couples forget to use a contraceptive and these pills solve this problem. But these pills can only be taken in an emergency which are rare and should not be taken more than the prescribed dosage.
How effective is this pill ?
The effectiveness of this pill decreases as time increases. If you take it within the first 12 hours the effectiveness is 95% and it decreases to 85% when taken between 25-48 hours and 58% between 49-72 hours.
If more than 72 hours have passed since unprotected sex, will Emergency Contraceptive Pill still work?
The I-Pill is designed to avoid emergencies in a certain time frame and if that has been exceeded then you need to consult a gynecologist and discuss other options.
Can I get pregnant even after taking the pill?
As a high dose of hormone is taken, it disrupts the normal menstrual cycle and the woman may bleed irregularly or have delayed menses in the next cycle. The pill can cause nausea, vomiting, breast discomfort and pain in some users.
Sometimes a woman may get pregnant despite the pill, but is unaware of it due to the bleeding which occurs, giving her a false sense of security and hence a delay in diagnosis of pregnancy. The resulting pregnancy after failure of the pill is usually safe and free from defects.
Along with the hype about the I-Pill not enough information is given about the pill itself. Many women consider this as an easier form of contraception. If a woman uses an emergency pill as a contraceptive method for a year the chances of her getting pregnant even after taking the pill still stays at 25%. However, oral birth control pills reduce this chance to 1% and intar-uterine devices like the copperT reduce it to 0.1%.
Regular contraceptive methods are much more effective and safer for long term use rather than the emergency pill and these should only be used in the case of emergencies.
