RU-486, The Day After Pill, And After Intercourse Contraception
<
Ever since RU-486 received FDA approval, there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding its use. Among other things, this is one form of birth control that is designed to induce the miscarriage of an embryo within a few days of fertilization. Along with the usual right to life controversy, there is a very clear misunderstanding about the differences between the day after pill and RU-486.
Basically, the “day after pill” is nothing more than an extra potent dose of regular birth control hormones. It is designed to be used within five days intercourse where no protection was used, or the method failed. By all accounts, the day after pill is not meant to be used as a means to induce miscarriage of an embryo.
Because many women do not know about the day after pill, they may mistakenly ask for RU-486, when they could have used something much safer. While women that have been raped or are concerned about early on about unwanted pregnancy, RU-486 carries a number of health risks. Unfortunately, this pill can lead to uterine bleeding as well as severe nausea and other symptoms. Before deciding to take RU-486, it is very important to be sure that you would not rather wait a bit and have a routine abortion.
Basically, there are two name brands for the day after pill, Preven, and Plan B. It is important to realize that these medications are designed to prevent pregnancy, but they will not interfere if conception has already occurred. Unlike RU-486, they are much safer to take, and do not have the same type of serious side effects. Some women have used a “day after pill” strategy when they forget to take a pill, then have intercourse, and double up on their pills the next day. Although the day after pill can be a useful method of preventing pregnancy, there has been some confusion in the research on the window of opportunity for using it. Not so long ago, it was thought that you could only use the day after pill within 3 days of unprotected sex and still achieve contraception. Newer studies reveal that you have as much as five days to obtain the day after pill and use it. Nevertheless, it is best to use the day after pill as soon as possible. Because date rape is a serious issue, women may want to carry the day after pill with them, even if they normally do not use oral contraceptives. While rape should always be immediately reported to law enforcement officials, the emergency room scene, and the entire process is often as horrifying as the violation itself. Even though the day after pill will not take away this nightmare, it may help a woman begin to take back control of her life. Over the years, the day after pill has emerged as a viable alternative to RU-486. Because it still acts to prevent conception, even if your regular method fails, you may be able to avoid the decision about having an abortion. In addition, while researchers have only recently begun to study the day after pill, some women may have been using their regular birth control in this manner for years.
|
