How Long is the Effective Time for Emergency Contraception?

Emergency contraceptives contain a large amount of progesterone, and the dosage of taking emergency contraceptives once is similar to taking short-acting contraceptives for a week. Frequent use of emergency contraceptives can easily lead to endocrine disorders and menstrual irregularities. In addition, emergency contraceptives have an effective time limit. How many hours are effective for emergency contraception? Firstly, in general, emergency contraceptives are effective within 72 hours after sexual intercourse. However, taking the medication once only has a short-term effect, and if contraception is not properly done later, there is still a possibility of pregnancy.

When taking emergency contraceptives, it should be noted that they can only be taken once during a menstrual cycle, and taking a second dose will be ineffective. Therefore, we should not blindly use emergency contraceptives and must use them based on our actual situation. Although emergency contraceptives have a certain effect on contraception, their dosage must be strictly controlled when taken, as excessive use may cause some physical discomfort such as headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, menstrual irregularities, etc. Therefore, the dosage must be strictly controlled and cannot be increased or decreased at will.

Secondly, there are also many precautions to be noted after taking contraindicated contraceptives. For example, conventional contraceptive methods can be adopted before the next menstruation after taking the medication to avoid pregnancy. A few people may have vaginal bleeding after taking the medication, which usually indicates successful contraception, but it is not absolute. If there is no slight bleeding, it is recommended to go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible. If vomiting occurs within one hour of taking the medication, it can be taken again. Emergency contraceptives should only be used occasionally and are not recommended for long-term use. Generally, it is not recommended to use them more than three times a year, otherwise it may cause damage to physical health. Of course, women who are already pregnant should not take contraindicated contraceptives, mainly because they do not have the effect of abortion. In this case, it is recommended to seek medical attention in a timely manner.