Morning after pill & vomiting

[Evian]

The condom came off the other night so I had to get the morning after pill. I took it yesterday, just over 12 hours after the incident and made sure I didn't take it on an empty stomach. But today I have been throwing up all morning. I gather it will have been absorbed by now but I am still a bit worried. If I did by some chance become pregnant would I already be experiencing morning sickness?

And just a ranty aside: if the morning after pill is most effective within 12 hours after unprotected sex/contraceptive failure, why did I have to wait for longer than that to see a nurse?! Doesn't make sense to me.

Just looking for some reassurance really. I am getting the Implanon implant next week, assuming my period arrives on time.

~Evian

[demonbuttercup]

I think that is just a side effect... does the packet list SE??

You have 72 hrs from the incident to take the MAP... of course the sooner the better but 12 hrs is much sooner than 24-48.

Plan B

Did u read the FAQ from here? considering Plan B was what you took... u didn't specify.
You should be OK you were smart and acted swiftly!
Good luck!

[Brandye]

Nausea is a common side effect of taking a morning after pill - whichever system you used. One day is too soon for morning sickness although some few women do develop this as a psychosomatic response to fear of pregnancy.

NHS guidelines are within 72 hours; some countries say seven days. You are correct: the sooner the better. In many countries Plan B is an over the counter medication and no medical people need be involved. Mifepristone (RU-486) does require medical supervision but is not usually used until after a period has been missed.

Given your reaction to emergency contraception, you may want to rethink the implant. If you have discussed all possibilities with your doctor and decided on Implanon, go for it. Otherwise, have that discussion.

[Evian]

I thought the implant was the best option as I am on a lot of medication and also want a zero user-failure rate method. But am re-thinking this because our relationship is just about over so there's really no need to pump myself full of hormones and go through the side effects.

I've never seen the cap/diaphragm/ring/sponge mentioned in any contraceptive leaflets in the UK...

[Brandye]

The cap and diaphragm were standard methods before about 1980 but have fallen into disuse. I have very, very few patients still using the diaphragm and they are older. The pill and iud have put them into general disuse. They are good but less convenient and not quite as dependable. The sponge is quite expensive and has a following of women who love it but most do not. It is a convenient and good backup for women who are temporarily on some medication that interferes with hormones. It was off the market for a few years. The ring is not available through NHS. Some private clinics provide it. I have a few women on the ring and I obtain it from Germany with a German medical license.

This should be discussed with your doctor. My patients on Implanon, Depo and the four period a year pill have had more difficulty with adjustment than most pill users. I steer patients away from those. If they insist, we give it a try. The implant is not a zero failure system. It comes close but if a woman is diligent with a pill or ring, the error rate is virtually the same with a lower dose of hormones in the system.