Morning after pill myths

Compared to the past, the morning-after pill is no longer a hormone bomb. It has been steadily developed over the past few years. Therefore, it is no longer comparable with the preparations that were once on the market and are responsible for the reputation as a “hormone bomb”.

Whilst the morning after pill is generally well tolerated, it is true that some people experience nausea after taking emergency contraception, but this isn’t true for most women. Some women experience nausea after taking emergency contraception, but this is normally very mild. If, for any reason, you vomit within three hours of taking emergency contraception it will not be effective and you will need to take another pill.

You must read the leaflet that comes with your medicine and checking you are not allergic to any ingredients.

The morning-after pill works by postponing ovulation by at least 5 days and thus preventing the meeting of fertilizable sperm and egg. Thus, fertilization does not even take place and pregnancy does not occur. If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception does not terminate the pregnancy.

The morning-after pill works specifically and for a short time to prevent an unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. It does not prevent possible future pregnancies. And even if you have taken the morning-after pill more than once at one point in your life, there is no risk of becoming permanently infertile.

Emergency contraception is – as the name suggests – not regular contraception. If you have had unprotected sex or a contraceptive breakdown, it is advisable to take the morning-after pill to prevent pregnancy. Like all contraceptives, emergency contraception is not 100% safe (if you have already ovulated, the morning-after pill will not work).

No, unfortunately it does not. If you’re having unprotected sex, pregnancy is not the only risk. There are also STIs to be aware of. The morning after pill only affects your ovulation, by stopping or delaying it to prevent pregnancy. It does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).