Emergency contraception, commonly known as the morning-after pill, is arguably the most commonly used form of emergency contraception. This explains the famous slang name, “P2,” which is Postinor-2, the most common brand of E-pills in the country. Albeit its famous use, especially among young girls, what many women and men do not know about the drug is that it is not foolproof. There are various instances where taking the drug would simply be futile, and I find it very deceiving that this information is not public knowledge, despite the drug being highly marketed and easily accessible.
This explains the many instances where women feel so cheated and defeated when they still end up pregnant. As such, understanding the various instances where the drug might not work is crucial to the contemporary woman to help them take charge of their reproductive health.
Here are five common examples of situations where the E-Pill is likely to fail you:
- Taking the Drug Past the Efficacy Window
Most morning-after pills, like Postinor-2 or E-Pill, work best when taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, but even more effectively within the first 12–24 hours. If taken after this window, their ability to prevent pregnancy drops dramatically. Fortunately, this information is public, and almost every user of the drug knows they should take it within this period. However, it is unfortunate that despite this information being public, some women fall victim to taking the drug too late or towards the end of the said window. Of course, some e-pills have a longer working period, such as the ellaOne, which can work up to 5 days, but they are less commonly available in Kenya. As such, please ensure to take your e-pill as soon as possible
2. Taking the Drug During Ovulation
The primary working mechanism of Psotinor-2 (P2) is inhibiting or delaying ovulation. This means that if you have already ovulated by the time you take the drug, it has a reduced chance of working. The second working mechanism of the drug is by preventing fertilization. Levonorgestrel, the hormone in the drug, thickens cervical mucus, which makes it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg. However, this is not the main working mechanism of the drug; it is not effective since implantation may have already taken place after ovulation. This explains why the timing within your cycle when you take the pill is vital, despite being often overlooked due to inadequate information.
3. Taking While on Certain Medications
Some medications significantly reduce the efficacy of emergency contraception. These include certain antibiotics, HIV treatments, and epilepsy drugs. In this case, it is important to disclose your medication to your pharmacist or doctor before taking an E-pill such that they can advise you accordingly. Better yet, it would be best to use a different form of family planning that offers you a greater guarantee of effectiveness.
4. Having a High BMI
The sad truth is that the efficacy of the morning-after pill is significantly lower for heavier women or those with a BMI (Body Mass Index). This is particularly for E-pills that have levonorgestrel as the main hormone. The drug does work for some cases, but its chances of failure are high, which means it does not offer the security that an emergency pill should. Therefore, it would be advisable for thick women to consider other forms of family planning.
5. Vomiting Shortly After Taking the Drug
One of the main side effects of the E-pill is nausea and vomiting. Unfortunately, this could be so severe for some people that it causes them to vomit. Sadly, if you vomit within 2–3 hours of taking the pill, your body may not have absorbed it properly, which means it might not work.
Generally, the E-pill is a good safety net, but unfortunately, it is not a guarantee in some situations. Therefore, to get the best results from the drug requires the contemporary woman to understand its limitations to enable them to take control of their reproductive health.
Always ask questions, and know your options.
