profamilia

The Morning-After Pill

The Morning-After Pill can prevent unwanted pregnancy within 72 hours following unprotected sexual intercourse. You need a prescription for it and should not delay in obtaining one because the earlier it is taken the more effective it is. You can get counselling and information at your local pro familia counselling centre.

When do I need the Morning-After Pill?

The condom burst, your diaphragm slipped, you forgot to take the Pill or you took no precautions at all… It can happen to anyone that things go wrong with contraception. After all, sexuality is not a computer program and is not always compatible with contraception when it comes to the emotions. Nevertheless, it is essential to avoid unwanted pregnancy and the Morning-After Pill can prevent pregnancy if it is taken in time.

What exactly is the Morning-After Pill and how does it work?

The Morning-After Pill consists of two tablets containing the hormone levonorgestrel (a progestin). It is highly effective and largely without side effects. (Until recently there was a different Morning-After Pill which was a combined preparation of the hormones progestin and estrogen. This is no longer sold in Germany).

The Morning-After Pill does not cause abortion. Depending on the point in the woman’s monthly cycle, it delays or inhibits ovulation or implantation of a fertilised ovum in the uterus. It does not work if a fertilised ovum is already implanted in the uterus. Therefore the Morning-After Pill is completely different from the so-called Abortion Pill which could be used to terminate an early pregnancy. (More information on the options available for having a pregnancy terminated in Germany can be obtained at any pro familia counselling centre or by logging on to http://www.profamilia.de/.)

Within what time frame do I have to take the Morning-After Pill?

The first Morning-After Pill should be taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse and the second 12 hours after the first. You should be aware that the effect of the Morning-After Pill decreases the longer you leave it before taking the first pill. We therefore recommend starting the course as early as possible – and certainly within 72 hours – following sexual intercourse. If the 72-hour deadline has elapsed it is still possible to have a Morning-After (copper) Coil fitted by your doctor or by a pro familia doctor which can prevent pregnancy up to five days after sexual intercourse.

How safe is the Morning-After Pill?

If taken in time, the Morning-After Pill is extremely reliable and prevents unwanted pregnancy in roughly nine cases out of ten. The earlier it is taken the more effective it is.

Where can I get the Morning-After Pill and how much does it cost?

The Morning-After Pill is only available on prescription in Germany. This is not essential from a medical point of view. In very many European countries, e.g., England, France and Switzerland, it can therefore also be bought without a prescription. pro familia is campaigning for it to be available without prescription in Germany as well. But until this becomes the case you must consult a doctor in order to obtain a prescription. This need not be a gynaecologist. If you live near a pro familia counselling centre or a pro familia family planning clinic where a doctor works you can also get a prescription there. At weekends and on Bank Holidays you should contact the emergency doctor or the emergency outpatient department of a hospital in order to obtain the prescription as quickly as possible and to be able to take the first pill. A gynaecological examination is not required for the Morning-After Pill.

There are currently two different preparations based on the hormone progestin which cost between € 16 and 18. In the case of women under 21 with statutory health insurance, the medical insurance company assumes the costs.

Does the Morning-After Pill have any side effects and how can I be sure that I am not pregnant?

The Morning-After Pill has relatively few side effects. Sometimes it may induce a feeling of nausea, but actual cases of vomiting, headaches, breast tenderness or dizziness are less common. The Morning-After Pill does not affect your future fertility. After taking the Morning-After Pill your menstrual period will be quite normal as a general rule and will start at the expected time. Slight delays are possible. Should the expected period be more than seven days late, however, or should it be significantly heavier or lighter, we recommend carrying out a pregnancy test followed by a repeat test one week later in case of doubt.

When does the Morning-After Pill not work?

- It does not work during unprotected sexual intercourse which takes place after taking the Morning-After Pill.

- Its effectiveness reduces if it is taken frequently.

- If more than 72 hours have elapsed between sexual intercourse and taking the first pill, then the Morning-After Pill is far less likely to work, if at all.

Can the Morning-After Pill be taken as a general contraceptive?

The Morning-After Pill is not intended as a regular method of contraception. Contraceptives such as the Pill and the coil are more effective; the effect of the Morning-After Pill decreases if taken frequently within a short time period, its side effects are greater than other contraceptives if taken over the long term and the Morning-After Pill is more expensive than other methods of contraception.

Can I take the Morning-After Pill if I am on the Pill?

Yes. If, for example, you have forgotten to take the Pill or have vomited, then you can also take the Morning-After Pill following an act of sexual intercourse.

What is the Morning-After Coil and when can I use it?

The normal copper coil, which is used as a long-term method of contraception, can prevent pregnancy if fitted within five days of an act of sexual intercourse.

If you have missed the 72-hour deadline for taking the Morning-After Pill, if you do not want or are unable to take hormone preparations or if you want to use the coil as a long-term method of contraception, then you can have a copper coil inserted by your doctor or a pro familia doctor. With a prevention rate of 99 per cent, this type of Morning-After Coil inhibits the fertilisation or implantation of the ovum within the five-day deadline. (The hormone coil is not suitable for emergency contraception).

How much does the Morning-After Coil cost?

The coil costs between € 130 and 160. (Depending on the type of coil, it may be left in the body for several years for regular contraception). The medical insurance companies bear the costs for women under 21 with statutory health insurance.

Where can I get more information?

You can get more information in any pro familia counselling centre and in pro familia family planning clinics. Addresses and telephone numbers are listed here.