So, You Need The Morning After Pill?
Sometimes, mistakes happen in the moment. You should always use some form of contraception during sex, unless you are wanting to get pregnant, but what happens if that contraception fails? Whether it’s the condom splitting or you forgot to take your pill a couple of nights back, it can be pretty stressful if you’re not sure whether you were fully protected during intercourse. It’s also very important if you have been a victim of sexual assault and, while traumatic, you need to make sure you are protected from unwanted pregnancies.
The emergency contraception pill, or the morning after pill, is medication that you can access without a prescription from a pharmacy, sexual health clinic or GP to prevent unwanted pregnancies. According to Health Direct, it works by stopping you releasing an egg (ovulating) or by stopping the sperm from reaching an egg.
One thing important to know, it’s not always successful and it works better the sooner you take it after sexual intercourse, ideally within 72 hours depending on the brand of pill.
It can be a pretty daunting experience going to the chemist to get the morning after pill, some would equate it to the “walk of shame” but just remember, you have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about. Sex is normal, using contraception is more than normal and unfortunately, contraception failures are also common. If you’re feeling a bit self-conscious about stopping by the pharmacy, here’s a couple of tips for you:
Head to a pharmacy you’ve not been to before, while you shouldn’t feel ashamed or embarrassed, it might just help those nervous thoughts knowing you won’t bump into someone you know!
Be confident and remember, you’re not the first to ask for the morning after pill and you most certainly will not be the last. Pharmacists are generally discreet and very kind, they shouldn’t judge you as there is absolutely nothing wrong with accessing emergency contraception.
Remember to bring your ID, some pharmacists will ask to see photo ID and you will have to fill in a form.
This is your choice, like anything else that involves your body and you have the absolute right to access emergency contraception.
After you take the morning after pill, you might see some side effects like spotting or bleeding, nausea, sore breasts, abdominal pain, dizziness. Taking the morning after pill may also affect the timing of your period, which might be early, on time or late.
You should follow up the morning after pill with a visit to your GP or a sexual health clinic within three weeks and you should definitely get an STI test, as the morning after pill does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections.
Remember, going to the chemist to get the morning after pill is something you should not be ashamed of, autonomy over your own body is your absolute right and you should feel like you always have choices, especially when it comes to contraception.
By Laura Meachim
