Dangers of Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception is a pill that should be taken within 24 hours of having unprotected sex in order to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception, which includes Plan B, works by providing a burst of synthetic hormones that break up the hormone patterns needed to produce a pregnancy. The emergency contraception affects the uterine lining, making it less hospitable to a pregnancy. If a women is midway through her menstrual cycle when she takes emergency contraception, it will prevent ovulation by blocking the hormones needed for the fertilization of the egg,. Emergency contraception may also disrupt sperm transport, making it difficult for the sperm to come into contact with the egg and fertilize it. However, as with any drug, there are side effects, some of which can be dangerous.

Contraindicators

• Women who have breast, liver or genital cancer, or a history of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, hypertension, migraine headaches, kidney or cardiovascular disease or epilepsy should not use emergency contraceptives. Women who have given birth within six weeks, are breastfeeding, or those who plan to have sex within the next five days should avoid EC.

Extreme and Dangerous Side Effects

• Some side effects are not normal and should be dealt with promptly by a doctor, including severe arm or leg pain and numbness; bad headaches; blurred vision; shortness of breath, chest pains or severe abdominal pains.

Common Side Effects

• Many women experience side effects that last a few days after using emergency contraception. Among the side effects, are breast tenderness, fluid retention, irregular bleeding, nausea, headaches and vomiting. Although these side effects are not life-threatening, they are not pleasant and can make you feel under the weather for several days.

Effectiveness

• If you use EC more than once in a month's time, it will will lose its effectiveness, the Mayo Clinic reports, so don't automatically assume that it is going to work. Eat something as soon as you take the morning after pill to prevent nausea.

Miscarriages and Ectopic Pregnancy

• A miscarriage is possible when a woman uses EC, according to the New York University Student Health Center, although other sources agree that emergency contraception does not have an effect on an established pregnancy. If a woman experiences heavy bleeding that includes pieces of tissue, blood clots, bad cramps and an excessive period that is accompanied by pain or fever she may be miscarrying. The NYU center also notes that ectopic pregnancies will not be prevented by EC because an ectopic pregnancy occurs in the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus. EC only has an effect on the uterus. If a woman experiences strong cramps in her lower abdomen on one side or the other (with or without bleeding), intense and sudden pain that endures, fainting or dizziness, she may have an ectopic pregnancy and needs to seek medical attention immediately. These symptoms may indicate bleeding inside your abdomen.

Adolescents

• The Population Research Institute was opposed to the approval by the Food and Drug Administration's of over-the-counter morning after pill for adolescents, claiming that a rise in sexually transmitted diseases would occur among this age group. This organization notes that progestin-only hormonal contraceptives, which the Population Research Institute says Plan B is, is comparable to Norplant, another birth control method, which is no longer available in the United States because it was dangerous. The organization cites the dangers of EC as including depression, gall bladder disease, high blood pressure, significant weight gain, ovarian cyst enlargement and respiratory disorders. The organization's fear is that teenagers who use emergency contraception may be at risk for increased rates of anorexia, bulimia or depression, and these girls will have an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Another concern is that a young female, who has taken a morning after pill and experiences abdominal pain, which could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, might not tell her parents what she is experiencing and, consequently, not get an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed. An ectopic pregnancy can be life threatening.