Over the counter emergency contraceptive pills have become very popular recently. (We have already talked about the emergency contraceptive pills in detail). Widely advertised ECs like I-pill and Unwanted are definitely the more popular ones. More so within the young adults segments, who are the majority users of these pills. Pharma Companies are happy the way these pills are selling, especially in the metros.  Sales have been going up by as high as 50% in the past few months. Most of the consumers of the pills are youngsters who don’t want to use condoms during sex. Such young adults find these pills as a easy rescue. Most of these girls are single 20 somethings who are anxious after a passionate night, and are unsure of the consequences. They usually talk to a few friends, search on the net, do their own calculations, and pop a pill, which is actually not the right way to take these ECs. . Not understanding the consequences, they land up with incomplete abortions. They are scared about the uncontrollable bleeding, or not getting their periods. This is when they finally think of turning to a doctor.

Gynecologists are handling a sharp spike in cases of menstrual complications among young adult women who are arbitrarily and repeatedly using Over The Counter EC pills and abortion pills (for fetuses up to 45 days old).The issue here is that these emergency contraceptive pills are not being used in emergency but as casual contraception. And for repeat abortions they go to different gynaecs as they do not want to share the history abut earlier pill abortions. Hormonal imbalance, vomit, nausea, severe lower abdominal pain are some of the common side effects of these pills, but unfettered use of loaded hormonal preparations is bound to disturb a woman’s cycle and therefore it is absolutely necessary to understand the proper intake of these pills.

The period of uncertainty after popping a pill can indeed be scary. After taking a pill you need to wait and anticipate your next period within a week of the expected time. In case it is delayed, it’s important to get a pregnancy test and consult your doctor. But this is not the relief these youngsters are looking for. Young girls who pop are pill are under a constant fear of will it work or not. They usually look for pills to start their periods immediately.

The point to note is that these pills if consumed without proper guidance of a doctor might be harmful. Always consult a doctor before taking an EC.

The following is in reply to a comment on this blog regarding the authenticity of this article. It is heartening to see that there are ppl who read carefully and bother to comment, considering it as a serious issue. With respect to your comment I would like to clarify a few points… (My points are mentioned in red, as against the comments which are mentioned in purple)

First of all, Siva, I would love to see citations for some the claims this article makes, because to me it reads like the author is making it up as they go along. (How he or she has such a good idea about the behaviors and attitudes of young women, have no idea, and I find it a bit insulting.)

1.Tho it wud not be possible for me to quote examples, but I would like to assure you that every word written here is well researched. The understanding of female psyche of the TG, is not guesswork of an individual, but result of a research carried out over a substantial sample population by a third party.

The claims that it makes about “incomplete abortions” are just wrong.Emergency Contraception (EC) will only work to prevent pregnancy, and only within 5 days after intercourse. It does not remove an embryo that has already implanted in the womb, and does NOT cause an abortion. It will NOT work 45 days into a pregnancy.

2. True: EC will not cause an abortion and it will not work 45 days into a pregnancy. Here the article refers to abortion pills and not ECs. The lack of clarity in putting across the difference is highly regretted.

It is possible that the author is confusing drugs mentioned such as “I-pill” and “Unwanted” with EC – I have never heard of them.

3.The article was an outcome of a large number of doctors, in Indian metros, raising a worry over a rising number of young patients turning to them with such problems. The article has been written keeping in mind the diverse and still-torn-between-modern-and-traditional sensibilities of the Indian nation. JFYI, I-pill and Unwanted are the most popularly advertised and known contraceptive pills in the India. I have also mentioned the sharp rise in their sales owing to heavy advertising on National Television.

The fact that this website is putting incorrect information out there in place where people might turn to for help is despicable. U need to tell me about th sources which u referred to.

I accept that there has been a lack of clarity in the way the article has been written, and as a rectification, I would like to add some more points to it.

First, ECPs and abortion pills are two separate things meant for two different purposes. ECPs are to prevent pregnancy. Read more (give the link) and abortion pills are for embryos up to 45 days old.

Second, it points, towards the ill effects of repeated and casual use of both these pills on a woman’s reproduction system.

Third, to tell its readers that it is suggested to take these medicines under a doctor’s guidance.