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Q: What Is the Morning After Pill (MAP)?
A: MAP is a significantly increased dose of the same chemicals that are in contraceptive pills or the patch. Four or more pills constitute one dosage (depending upon method chosen). MAP can be either a combination of Progestin and Estrogen or Progestin only.
Q: When Is It Taken?
A: The pills are taken orally within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse which is assumed to include episodes of suspected contraceptive failure.
Q: How Does It Work?
A: MAP can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus by altering the lining of the uterus and would characterize MAP as an early abortion. MAP can prevent or delay ovulation (the release of an egg). MAP can affect conditions needed for sperm penetration as well as normal sperm migration.
Q: Are There Any Risks or Side-Effects From The MAP?
A: Possible Side-Effects Include:
Nausea (experienced by 50% of women depending on method used).
Vomiting (experienced by 20% of women depending on method used).
Breast Tenderness
Headaches and/or Dizziness
Vaginal Bleeding/Spotting (with or without menstrual-like cramps)
After taking MAP, there is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. If you are pregnant after using MAP, be sure that this potentially dangerous possibility is not overlooked.
Q: Can MAP Put You At A Greater Risk For An Unintended Pregnancy in the Short-Term?
A: MAP can potentially alter aspects of the next menstrual cycle, which could possibly increase the likelihood of pregnancy during that cycle. MAP may cause vaginal bleeding that is similar to a woman's typical period and could lead to confusion regarding the start of a new menstrual cycle. Frequent use may result in irregular menstrual cycles.
Q: How Effective is the MAP?
A: It is considered to be 70-85% effective when taken as directed. There are some recent studies that show that the percentage could be much lower. (One such study shows an effective rate of only 49%).
Q: Did You Know?
A: It is recommended that a pregnancy test be done before taking this medication if you have had intercourse since your last menstrual cycle
It is important for women to understand their cycles and fertility. The "ideal time" to become pregnant is during a 5 to 7 day window surrounding ovulation. If you weren?t fertile when you had sex because you were nowhere near ovulation, it is senseless to take this drug.
MAP in no way protects a woman from sexually transmitted diseases.
MAP is on the market without specific long-term studies of the safety of the MAP.
In circumstances involving a single episode of unprotected intercourse, about 6-10% of women are at risk for becoming pregnant (approx. 90+% will not become pregnant). Proper use of MAP seems to reduce pregnancy to 2-3%. Still...90+% of women taking the MAP will not benefit from using it.
Real prevention is something one does before the fact, not after the act.
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