This refers to prevention of pregnancy after an unplanned unprotected sexual intercourse. It does not work if the woman is already pregnant neither does it prevent future pregnancy (if you use it today, it does not prevent pregnancy if you have unprotected sex tomorrow)

Who can use Emergency Pills (Morning After pills)

1. A woman who had sex without protection
2. A woman who had forced sex (rape) or coerced
3. Contraceptive mistakes, such as:
   1. If the condom was used incorrectly, slipped, or broke
   2. Couple incorrectly used a fertility awareness method (for example, failed to abstain or to use another method during the fertile days)
   3. If the man failed to withdraw, as intended, before he ejaculated
4. A Woman on daily tablets but who has missed 3 or more pills at the time of the sex
5. A Woman on family planning injection who is more than 2 weeks late for her repeat injection

What to use

The common ones include Duofem, Postinor 1 or 2. Oral contraceptives (called daily tablets e.g. Lo-femenal) can also be used but the dose is different. Visit a pharmacist or doctor for appropriate prescription. The drug should be used as soon as after the sex, it become less effective if you delay.

Possible side effects of the drugs

1. It may make you feel like vomiting, or you may actually vomit
2. It may cause abdominal cramps
3. It may cause slight vaginal bleeding
4. It may make your menstruation a bit irregular

Note that:

1. The pills can only prevent but cannot abort a pregnancy.
2. The pills act for a short period and are safe for all women. The side effects of the drugs usually disappear on its own.
3. They do not cause birth defects in a baby if pregnancy occur despite its use
4. The pills DO NOT prevent sexually transmitted infections
5. 7up and or Andrew liver salt do not prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex