Unwanted 72 - Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Drug Warnings, and Precautions

Overview:

Unwanted 72 is an emergency contraceptive pill that is to be taken to prevent an unplanned pregnancy after having unprotected sex. It is also known as "the morning-after" pill. It is a single dose medication wherein one dose is used as emergency contraception. It has a chemical composition of Levonorgestrel. This pill has to be taken orally and within 24 to 72 hours of having unprotected sex. The sooner you take the pill, the better the effect will be. As time passes by, the effectiveness of the pill is lowered. It is not necessary to take it at any particular time of the day, but it will be better when taken within 24 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse.

Usually, Unwanted 72 is safe if taken properly and at the appropriate time, but it can lead to certain side effects.

Composition:

The active ingredient of Unwanted 72 tablets is Levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone commonly present in oral contraceptive medicines. Levonorgestrel prevents the release of the egg from the ovary, which is a female reproductive organ. It can also change the lining of the uterus to prevent pregnancy.

What Is Unwanted 72 Used For?

Unwanted 72 tablet is to be taken within 72 hours of the act of penetration for it to be most effective. It helps to prevent pregnancy in case of:

• Unprotected sex.

• Missed regular oral contraceptive pills.

• Breakage or slipping of the condom.

• Forced intercourse.

• Rape.

If taken after 72 hours, it becomes ineffective in restricting the fertilization process as in certain cases. The egg is already fertilized in 3 days' time.

• It cannot be used to protect against sexually transmitted diseases like HIV/AIDS, herpes, and so on.

• It does not cause any abortion if you are already pregnant. You can use Condoms as they are a safe and effective method of contraception.

How Does Unwanted 72 Work?

Unwanted 72 contains a hormone in high dose, inactivating LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicular stimulating hormone), and it ultimately makes the lining of the uterus unfavorable for implantation of fertilized egg and ovulation too. It thus works by stopping pregnancy after sex. It takes three days (72 hours) for pregnancy to occur after fertilization, which is what this pill stops from occurring. It does not terminate a pregnancy that has already occurred. So, it is important to take it in the stipulated time frame as directed by your doctor. In case of vomiting within three hours of taking Unwanted 72, it may not work, and another tablet is to be repeated.

The Onset of Action:

Unwanted 72 pills should be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. The sooner the pill is taken, the better will be the effectiveness. The effectiveness of the pill will be better if taken after 24 hours of unprotected sex. It is not effective if taken after 72 hours as the egg is already fertilized in 3 days' time.

How To Take Unwanted 72?

Most doctors recommend taking Unwanted 72 after having meals, but it can be taken at any time throughout the day. If in case you vomit within three hours of taking this pill, then you need to take another pill as soon as possible as the constituents of the pill would not have got absorbed in the body because of vomiting, making the pill ineffective.

You cannot use this pill as an alternative to any other contraceptive device.

These emergency contraceptive pills cannot be used to protect against the risk of any sexually transmitted disease like HIV/AIDS, chlamydia, herpes, etc. Instead, condoms can be used as they are a safe and effective method of contraception.

What precautions should you take while using an unwanted 72 tablet?

As Unwanted 72 is a hormonal tablet meant for emergency purposes, they have to be used only in such one-off situations and not as a regular mode of contraception. Condoms or oral contraceptive pills (lower dose hormones) are more reliable forms of long-term birth control. An emergency pill can mess with your reproductive system if taken on a regular basis. It is advised not to take them more than twice in a span of six months. Also, it is important to take note that ECP does not offer protection from sexually transmitted infections, and only a condom (barrier method) can provide that.

The other precaution is that this should not be taken when you are pregnant or planning pregnancy. Although this drug has not shown any major side effects in the breastfeeding mother or child, it is advisable to take them after consulting your gynecologist.

Unwanted 72 Usage Warnings

Do not take Unwanted 72 if:

• You are already pregnant.

• You are allergic to Levonorgestrel.

• You have a history of heart problems.

• You are on medication for high blood pressure.

• You take other health supplements.

• You were diagnosed with breast cancer.

• You have suffered a stroke.

• You have any genetic disorder related to blood and a lymphatic system like porphyria.

What Can Be the Side Effects of Taking Unwanted 72?

Unwanted 72 do not cause any serious side effects if taken occasionally. Some of the side effects that are commonly experienced are:

• Some women may experience delayed periods in their next cycle after taking this contraceptive pill.

• Headache.

• Fatigue.

• Tenderness of the breast.

• Slight spotting or bleeding before the start of the next menstruation cycle.

• Dizziness.

• Body aches.

• Abdominal cramps, bloating, and stomach upset.

• Irregular periods.

There can be long-term side effects if used chronically, like irregular periods, allergies of the skin, swelling of lips, tongue, eyelids, hands and feet, ectopic pregnancy, hair loss, infections of ear, nose, and throat, and ovaries can be damaged or imbalance in hormones.

Does Unwanted 72 Cause a Delay in Periods?

A change in the pattern of menstrual cycles for up to three cycles is a common occurrence after taking ECP. The period may come in early or be delayed from the expected date. The bleeding following a pill intake is known as withdrawal bleeding. Once the bleeding occurs, it is certain that pregnancy has been prevented. But, if there is a slight delay of up to seven days, it is advisable to test for pregnancy on or after the expected date of menses. If there is a considerable delay (more than seven days since the expected date of menses), it is necessary to consult a specialist to rule out pregnancy as well as other gynecological conditions by means of a pelvic ultrasound or transvaginal scan.

It is necessary to know the difference between withdrawal bleeding and implantation bleeding. Though both can look the same, there are some differences you can look for. Implantation bleeding will appear lighter in color, water-like consistency, more like spotting, and no heavy bleeding or any clots can be associated with mild cramps and lasts for merely one to two days. It is always better to consult your gynecologist to get it confirmed.

Can you take Unwanted 72 after 72 hours?

Although rare, it is possible to still get pregnant after taking the pill. But, it is to be noted that no type of contraception is 100 % effective.

The effectiveness of Unwanted 72 goes down with time as follows:

• 0 to 24 hours after the act - 90 to 95 % effective

• 25 to 48 hours after the act - 85 % effective

• 49 to 72 hours after the act- 58 % effective

• After 72 hours - nearly nil

What Are the Interactions of Unwanted 72?

Unwanted 72 usually does not cause any adverse effects when taken along with other medications. But it is always better to consult your doctor before taking this pill if you are taking medications for any other health illnesses. But there are some chemical compounds that interact with Unwanted 72 and lowers the effects.

Some of the chemical compounds that are considered unsafe when taken along with Unwanted 72 are:

• Phenytoin.

• Carbamazepine.

• St. John's Wort.

• Rifampin.

• Barbiturates.

• Griseofulvin.

• Felbamate.

• Oxcarbazepine.

With alcohol, it has not caused any adverse effects but avoid consuming alcohol when taking this pill because it can lower the effect of the pill.

What Are the Substitutes for Unwanted 72?

There are few substitutes that are available

• I-pill.

• Postpone 72 tablet.

• T-pill-72.

• Nextime pill.

Certain situations are totally out of our hands, and fortunately, we have a solution to them when it comes to pregnancy, unprotected sex, and emergency pills. But, as every coin has two faces, it is always better to have proper knowledge before taking one. And when in doubt, it is always better to consult your gynecologist or general physician to get the required knowledge, and with the help of online medical platforms, it has become much more easy and confidential.

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