Morning After Pill Overview
The morning after pill: Emergency contraceptive.
Dictionary definition:
morn·ing-af·ter pill
n.
A pill containing a drug, especially an estrogen or estrogen substitute such as diethylstilbestrol, that prevents implantation of a fertilized ovum and is therefore effective as a contraceptive after sexual intercourse.
Commonly known as emergency contraceptive, the morning after pill has worked its name into our homes. We’ve all heard of it, but how many of us understand just how it works or what it is meant for?
What is it Meant For?
The Morning After Pill is provided to women in order to prevent their egg from implanting itself inside of the uterine wall. If the egg cannot embed itself in the wall of the uterus, the woman cannot become pregnant.
The pill is meant for women who have had unprotected sex or whose contraceptive method has failed. The pill can only be taken within 72 hours of intercourse. Other emergency contraceptives can be taken up to 120 hours after intercourse, which is one of the main reasons why the morning after pill is becoming less popular.
Containing high amounts of estrogen and progesterone, the morning after pill is thought to be a more potent type of the birth control pill.