Morning after pill

Ellie2008

I know there have been threads on this site about the MAP becoming available OTC etc but I was wondering has anyone ever taken it and really regretted it?

I have taken it three times that I can remember though possibly more I cant totally remember and I feel terrible about it now. I would take it if I missed two or three days on the pill, I was very bad at remembering to take it.

CnaG

Why do you feel terrible about it? I've taken it once, before the overcounter days. Didn't think twice about it after.

Truley

I've taken it once, no regrets. I wasn't planning on getting pregnant.

polly78

I've taken it at least six times (I'm 33), never thought twice about it. I can't understand regret over the morning after pill!!

The odds are more in favour of you never having conceived anyhow.

This to me is like regretting using any form of contraceptive.

Have you forgotten how you felt the morning after?

Kimia

why do you regret it? Did you want to become pregnant?

TaraFoxglove

OP, are you worried about it being an abortifacient?

If you took it in the first day there is no chance this is the case.

Pretty much ditto the second day.

Fertilisation doesn't happen as quickly as people imagine.

IrishEyes19

exactly how Tara just put it!! It's not an abortion, OP!! It's the prevention of it happening or getting to the stage of pregnancy. Nothing to feel guilty about.

Ellie2008

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

OP, are you worried about it being an abortifacient?

If you took it in the first day there is no chance this is the case.

Pretty much ditto the second day.

Fertilisation doesn't happen as quickly as people imagine.

I probably took it on the third day, I think but cant totally remember as I usually was debating whether I really needed to or not, I think you re right the later you leave it the greater the chance that it acts as an abortifacient...

TaraFoxglove

Ellie2008 wrote: »

I probably took it on the third day, I think but cant totally remember as I usually was debating whether I really needed to or not, I think you re right the later you leave it the greater the chance that it acts as an abortifacient...

But you wouldn't have definitely got pregnant if you didn't take it so yes there's a slim chance it acted as an abortifacient but only if fertilisation occurred and how will you ever know if that even happened?

No regrets in taking it, no. You have nothing to worry about OP Chances are strong it wasn't an abortifacient

Raspberries

I've taken it 3 times I think over the past few years. Although this wasn't OTC, had to spend about 60 quid each time, dunno why I didn't learn my lesson the first time :pac:

I took them more as a 'just in case' scenario. I've regretted it, more because we were 19/20 and should have known better and also because I am concerned that it may have an effect on my fertility. I googled 'morning after pill and fertility' and all that came up was Daily Mail articles about people who take it almost continuously so I reckon I'll be o.k. but still, there's that little voice in my head (my mother's :rolleyes:) telling me to not take it again.

Raspberries

Raspberries wrote: »

I've taken it 3 times I think over the past few years. Although this wasn't OTC, had to spend about 60 quid each time, dunno why I didn't learn my lesson the first time :pac:

I took them more as a 'just in case' scenario. I've regretted it, more because we were 19/20 and should have known better and also because I am concerned that it may have an effect on my fertility. I googled 'morning after pill and fertility' and all that came up was Daily Mail articles about people who take it almost continuously so I reckon I'll be o.k. but still, there's that little voice in my head (my mother's :rolleyes:) telling me to not take it again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/sexual_health/contr_emergcontr.shtml

http://www.planb.ca/faq.html

It's not the most sensible thing in the world to take it regularly at all, but you should be fine.

Ellie2008

Raspberries wrote: »

I've taken it 3 times I think over the past few years. Although this wasn't OTC, had to spend about 60 quid each time, dunno why I didn't learn my lesson the first time :pac:

I took them more as a 'just in case' scenario. I've regretted it, more because we were 19/20 and should have known better and also because I am concerned that it may have an effect on my fertility. I googled 'morning after pill and fertility' and all that came up was Daily Mail articles about people who take it almost continuously so I reckon I'll be o.k. but still, there's that little voice in my head (my mother's :rolleyes:) telling me to not take it again.

Im just curious what do you mean by "should have known better" - do you mean should have used contraception?

Another point most contraception has a anti-implantation effect, the pill, the coil, I asked a doctor if there was something that didnt and she said no, so I gave up the pill and use condoms (my boyfriend loves that!!!)

OP you shouldn't feel guilty about taking the MAP! It's a contraceptive, not a form of abortion!
You see you don't become pregnant until a fertilised egg attaches to the wall of your womb - this doesn't happen until 3-5days after 'successful' sexual activity. Until then it is entirely possible you were not even fertilised. Even if you WERE ovulating at the time and a sperm did manage to combine with your egg, the chances of the combined pair managing to stick to your wall and make you pregnant are shockingly small. As my biology professor once said - "you've probably been fertalised more times than you could even count and not become pregnant".
And as the previous poster said, most other forms of contraception prevent implantation as well. So don't worry about it

Morag

Medically and legally the 'morning after' pill does not cause an abortion to occur.
It does not end a pregnancy, it prevents one from happening.
Anyone who says other wise is either misinformed or deliberately spreading rubbish about it.

Yes I have taken it and no I didn't regret it afterwards.
I do think it's normal to wonder about what have been, to a point we all make choices which would have resulted in the life we lead now being different.

--LOS--

Have taken it 3 times before it became OTC and years apart, definitely not as a substitute to normal protection. Regret one of those times as was pressured into taking it by someone when it was unnecessary. Youve no reason to regret it OP but I can understand why you do, there is somewhat of a stigma to it, like it's a form of abortion and that everyone who takes it has had unprotected sex or is using it as a form of contraception. One of the first things a doctor will ask you is 'ok when did you have unprotected sex' >.<

--LOS--

--LOS-- wrote: »

Have taken it 3 times before it became OTC and years apart, definitely not as a substitute to normal protection. Regret one of those times as was pressured into taking it by someone when it was unnecessary. Youve no reason to regret it OP but I can understand why you do, there is somewhat of a stigma to it, like it's a form of abortion and that everyone who takes it has had unprotected sex or is using it as a form of contraception. One of the first things a doctor will ask you is 'ok when did you have unprotected sex' >.<

If you have a bad doctor :eek:

pow wow

Taken it twice, once when I was 17 and the other time I can't quite remember other than to say I know for sure there was a second time. Absolutely no regrets about it. I view it as taking responsibility for the choices I make regarding having sex and the consequences that come with that, whether one is careless or just has bad luck with contraception.

--LOS--

bluewolf wrote: »

If you have a bad doctor :eek:

Yes, that was just one doctor, a college doctor......typical even though I was in a serious relationship and using contraception but everyone knows that things can go wrong, to me it was the wise decision to be safe, yet I was treated as some naive idiot. Her manner was appalling. A different doctor in the same college didnt take me seriously when I could have had something seriously wrong a different time, basically was pointing to me being a hypochondriac :mad: even though I would be the opposite if anything.....but that's a different story

TaraFoxglove

Sharrow wrote: »

Medically and legally the 'morning after' pill does not cause an abortion to occur.
It does not end a pregnancy, it prevents one from happening.
Anyone who says other wise is either misinformed or deliberately spreading rubbish about it.

Not strictly true, you can take it up to three days after the event, and there is a possibility of fertilisation happening before the three days is up.

Morag

Again you are ignoring what is the medical and legal definition of pregnancy in this country
and at this junction I an only assume you are doing so wilfully.

Pregnancy does not begin until implantation occurs.
A woman may have a fertilised ova to a zygote inside her but she is not pregnant until it implants.

While I do respect the right of someone to consider that a new life has started at conception and that they would not take steps to ride themselves of that, I don't have any respect for those who try and make legal and medical terms mean something they do not.

TaraFoxglove

Sharrow wrote: »

Again you are ignoring what is the medical and legal definition of pregnancy in this country
and at this junction I an only assume you are doing so wilfully.

At this juncture, I would ask you to back off, Sharrow. I am FOR the MAP, I have taken the MAP, I am not being wilful.

Sharrow wrote: »

Pregnancy does not begin until implantation occurs.
A woman may have a fertilised ova to a zygote inside her but she is not pregnant until it implants.

While I do respect the right of someone to consider that a new life has started at conception and that they would not take steps to ride themselves of that, I don't have any respect for those who try and make legal and medical terms mean something they do not.

Pregnancy might begin at implantation but it really depends on the person themselves whether they consider fertilisation or implantation the start of the process, as fertilisation leads to pregnancy. It's not for YOU to tell them when the process begins. A woman will never know whether fertilisation occurred before she took the MAP but if she could know, it would be down to her how she feels about that.

By the way, I'm absolutely crushed that you have no respect for me now. :rolleyes:

Loopie

I've taken it 3 times, and truthfully I never stopped to think about regret, nor did any guilt pop up. We were simply caught out at the time, and it was just something we (I) would do/take to rectify this. I see it as nothing more than a contraceptive after the fact so to speak - not ideal as an ongoing method of contraceptive but, most definitely a safety net for those who need it.

Morag

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

Pregnancy might begin at implantation but it really depends on the person themselves whether they consider fertilisation or implantation the start of the process, as fertilisation leads to pregnancy. It's not for YOU to tell them when the process begins.

Yup I leave that to the medical professionals and their definition is also the legal definition.

Misinformation about the morning after pill and when pregnancy begins is harmful to women, even using the term morning after is a misnomer as it can be taken up until 72 hours later, it it is less effective then if it's taken 24 hours later.

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

A woman will never know whether fertilisation occurred before she took the MAP but if she could know, it would be down to her how she feels about that.

Yes it is for a woman to decide how she feels if she maybe at risk of an unplanned pregnancy and what steps she feels she can take morally and ethically take,
This is unfortunately muddied by people who bandy about misinformation about medical facts.


The misinformation that the oral contraceptives and the 'morning after pill' or any artificial hormonal contraception damages a woman's fertility is another bit of bullshít which
gets repeated today which was spread about by catholic anti contraception scaremongers to discourage women in this country from using it.

TaraFoxglove

Sharrow wrote: »

Yup I leave that to the medical professionals and their definition is also the legal definition.

Misinformation about the morning after pill and when pregnancy begins is harmful to women, even using the term morning after is a misnomer as it can be taken up until 72 hours later, it it is less effective then if it's taken 24 hours later.



Yes it is for a woman to decide how she feels if she maybe at risk of an unplanned pregnancy and what steps she feels she can take morally and ethically take,
This is unfortunately muddied by people who bandy about misinformation about medical facts.


The misinformation that the oral contraceptives and the 'morning after pill' or any artificial hormonal contraception damages a woman's fertility is another bit of bullshít which
gets repeated today which was spread about by catholic anti contraception scaremongers to discourage women in this country from using it.

Well, I'm not anti-contraception, nor am I Catholic. I do know that fertilisation can occur. I never said anything about fertility being damaged.

But for the record, British publications are always keen not to stress that MAP should be overused. Is there a Catholic agenda there too?

Lia_lia

--LOS-- wrote: »

'ok when did you have unprotected sex' >.<

Ugh, hate that. The first time I took it it was because the condom tore and the doctor was like "You should never have unprotected sex, and you can never take the morning after pill again after this time" I was 17 and terrified! He was an asshole. What if I'd been raped or something?! They are so insensitive.

Then another time I had to take it even though I was on the pill. I was on antibiotics and the condom tore (typical) and explained the situation to the doctor and she DIDN'T BELIEVE ME!

/rant


Anyway, you shouldn't feel ashamed about taking the map. I know I never was...even after those mean doctors!

kiwi123

I have taken it a few times with my boyfriend oover the last few years and although if I need it, i will get it...i hate asking for it. The first time I went in to get it, I thought I was being responsible and the doctor went on a big speel about how it was so important not to be so careless etc.

Since then I have dreaded asking for it - however the last time I went in to get it from a nationwide chain and they were so supportive and reassuring. Basically the chemist just said if you think that there is a chance you became pregnant and don't want to be you are better off taking it no.

I have never felt guilty after taking it, just relieved to be honest

KittyeeTrix

Hi OP,
I've only ever taken the MAP once and up until I'd taken it I would've considered the MAP a mini form of abortion in my younger days:o............ridiculous, I know now!!!

I took it when I had 3 children and my youngest baby was only 7 weeks old at the time, it was the morning after her christening and me and the hubby had a little too much to drink and of course I was not back on the pill and had done "the deed" without condoms.....blah, blah, blah,

I knew there was every chance I could be pregnant again as we've been "blessed" with unbelievable fertility!!:D so went to a local GP (emergency one) who was not my usual GP....... He looked at me that Sunday morning like I was a tramp and proceeded to tell me in the most condescending voice ever that the MAP was not a suitable form of contraceptive...I was in fecking tears as I felt terrible for taking it, my husband literally told him to shut the fcuk up, that we'd been together 7 years and had 3 children aged 5, 2 and 7 weeks old and had never taken the MAP before!!

We went on 2 years later to have our 4th child but at that time I was just not ready for number 4:)

fluffyorganic1

fluffyorganic1 wrote: »

He looked at me that Sunday morning like I was a tramp and proceeded to tell me in the most condescending voice ever that the MAP was not a suitable form of contraceptive...I was in fecking tears as I felt terrible for taking it, my husband literally told him to shut the fcuk up, that we'd been together 7 years and had 3 children aged 5, 2 and 7 weeks old and had never taken the MAP before!!

Jesus, I'm glad your husband told him off

opinion guy

bluewolf wrote: »

If you have a bad doctor :eek:

Ok forgive my intrusion here as a male in this thread but I have to ask - why is a bad for the doctor to ask when the potential accident happened ?
I mean since the MAP is only meant to be used in a certain time period surely it is incumbent upon the doctor to ask this question ?

--LOS--

opinion guy wrote: »

Ok forgive my intrusion here as a male in this thread but I have to ask - why is a bad for the doctor to ask when the potential accident happened ?
I mean since the MAP is only meant to be used in a certain time period surely it is incumbent upon the doctor to ask this question ?

seriously??

The point is they assumed straight away without asking that it was unprotected sex which is obviously ridiculous!

opinion guy

opinion guy wrote: »

Ok forgive my intrusion here as a male in this thread but I have to ask - why is a bad for the doctor to ask when the potential accident happened ?
I mean since the MAP is only meant to be used in a certain time period surely it is incumbent upon the doctor to ask this question ?

I don't have a problem with the "when" I have a problem with the assumptions (which are apparently common judging by the stories on this thread) that any failure of contraception must be irresponsibility, etc.

opinion guy

--LOS-- wrote: »

seriously??

The point is they assumed straight away without asking that it was unprotected sex which is obviously ridiculous!

bluewolf wrote: »

I don't have a problem with the "when" I have a problem with the assumptions (which are apparently common judging by the stories on this thread) that any failure of contraception must be irresponsibility, etc.

Ok am I missing something here ? This is in reaction to this yes? : 'One of the first things a doctor will ask you is 'ok when did you have unprotected sex'

Whether you were going bareback or had two condoms on that failed its still amounts to unprotected sex. I mean that reason for wanting the MAP is unprotected sex is it not ? Whether it be by accident or design.

No ?
I don't see the judgement in this question that you all seem to be assuming

Ickle Magoo

I think you are arguing semantics for the sake of it.

Assuming you are covered by a working condom is not "having" unprotected sex - discovering afterwards the condom has split or come off or something that has rendered the protection being used possibly ineffective is a completely different kettle of fish to having unprotected sex ie knowingly participating in sex without any form of protection.

--LOS--

opinion guy wrote: »

Ok am I missing something here ? This is in reaction to this yes? : 'One of the first things a doctor will ask you is 'ok when did you have unprotected sex'

Whether you were going bareback or had two condoms on that failed its still amounts to unprotected sex. I mean that reason for wanting the MAP is unprotected sex is it not ? Whether it be by accident or design.

No ?
I don't see the judgement in this question that you all seem to be assuming

Yes it is in reaction to that.

I find this view extremely ignorant tbh! The reason for wanting the MAP most certainly is NOT just from having unprotected sex, it's hard to believe someone can be so uneducated. Contraception comes in the form of condoms, the pill etc etc.....these are forms of protection, unprotected sex is failing to use any form of contraception! There is a big difference between someone being responsible and protecting themselves against pregnancy AND STDs versus someone who could not care less about the implications of unprotected sex for themselves AND others. It is totally ignorant to assume that everyone looking for the MAP is as careless as the second person there.

There are many reason to want it.....using a condom but it breaks (personally this has never happened me), knowing that somehow the proper usage of a condom has been compromised (Im not going to get into a load of specifics), you could be on the pill and using anti-biotics in which case the effect of the pill could be counteracted by those, you could have taken your pill and then gotten sick and so you cant be sure it is still effective etc etc etc
And btw people who knowingly have unprotected sex shouldnt be discouraged from getting the MAP, they may have made some bad choices but it is best they dont make more. In that case it is the doctors duty to find out the why you need the MAP and lecture accordingly.

TaraFoxglove

I get where he's coming from, technically it is unprotected sex, or else you wouldn't be asking for the MAP.

So, possibly people are projecting their own feelings on the issue onto the doctor.

LOS, I wouldn't say he's being uneducated, he's just curious!

--LOS--

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

LOS, I wouldn't say he's being uneducated, he's just curious!

It's the same attitude that doctors like that have that is pretty insulting.

Ickle Magoo

There is a very common definition for "unprotected sex" - and it doesn't involve any kind of ambiguities for the sakes of possibilities and maybes with protection failing.

It is ignorant in the extreme for a medical professional to assume there was no protection used, rather than protection was used that might have failed. It's hardly rocket science to ask why a patient thinks they are at risk of pregnancy that doesn't involve making any kind of assumptions or using terminology associated with irresponsibility.

TaraFoxglove

--LOS-- wrote: »

It's the same attitude that doctors like that have that is pretty insulting.

It's a reasonable question. You're looking for the MAP, he needs to know how long ago you had sex. Whatever reason you're getting MAP, you're getting it because you fear for whatever reason that you are pregnant, that the contraceptive barrier was either ineffective at that moment in time or you just forgot. Maybe he/she should ask when the suspected unprotected sex happened but there you go.

The question is, why get insulted?

--LOS--

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

It's a reasonable question. You're looking for the MAP, he needs to know how long ago you had sex. Whatever reason you're getting MAP, you're getting it because you fear for whatever reason that you are pregnant, that the contraceptive barrier was either ineffective at that moment in time or you just forgot. Maybe he/she should ask when the suspected unprotected sex happened but there you go.

The question is, why get insulted?

I think nobody here is disputing that point in bold. Obviously they need to know when you had sex that put you in the position of requiring the MAP.

That is not the point

TaraFoxglove

--LOS-- wrote: »

I think nobody here is disputing that point in bold. Obviously they need to know when you had sex that put you in the position of requiring the MAP.

That is not the point

Well, I'm female and I wouldn't be in any way put out if a doctor asked me when the unprotected sex happened (if contraception fails, it's unprotected sex so it's a reasonable question to me). I think people who do are projecting a wee bit. I don't care what the doctor thinks of me, I don't care if he thinks I'm a whore, I really don't care. If he wants to make that judgement, let him!

Da Shins Kelly

I wouldn't get too cut up about taking it. However, I have heard that it's not good to take it more than three times in your lifetime.

kiwi123

I can tell you right now that the reason I find it insulting is that I am an educated person who is paying the doctor for his help. I understand what the consequences of sex are and the whole reason I am in the doctors office is to do my best to ensure they do not occur.

I will not stand in a doctors office and be belittled by a man (my bad experience was with a male) who does ot have to worry about the hormones from the MAP affectig their body or potentially have a child grow inside them. (i recognise that many men find that thought difficult with their partner - im not saying that men don't find this process upsetting themselves.)

It is incredibly insulting to be called careless and wreckless when the whole process of gettig the MAP is one of the most responsible things you can do if you find yourself in doubt

Ickle Magoo

This is a country which has only openly allowed birth control since 1979 - and the attitudes of some doctors in terms of moral judgement & lack of professionalism when it comes to sex, pregnancy and sex related issues leaves a lot to be desired - certainly in comparison with other countries...

While that may not bother you, personally, others certainly have the right to be both annoyed and offended by it.

drkpower

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

It's a reasonable question.
The question is, why get insulted?

Precisely.

The doc might more properly have asked 'when did you have unprotected sex and/or have protected sex that failed (through no fault of your own etc etc...)'. But for the sake of brevity, the question 'when did you have unprotected sex' is usually asked. It is rarely (and shouldnt be) intended to insult, and someone who takes the phrasing of the question as an insult in and of itself really needs to ask themselves why they do so.

--LOS--

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

Well, I'm female and I wouldn't be in any way put out if a doctor asked me when the unprotected sex happened (if contraception fails, it's unprotected sex so it's a reasonable question to me). I think people who do are projecting a wee bit. I don't care what the doctor thinks of me, I don't care if he thinks I'm a whore, I really don't care. If he wants to make that judgement, let him!

It is not unprotected sex just because contraception fails!!

And a Doctor knows this! ....which is why they follow up the phrase 'unprotected sex' with a lecture on being irresponsible and that you really should use protection bla bla when you have!

Ickle Magoo

Why not just ask "why do you think you may be pregnant" then? I can't believe anyone seriously believes a medical professional is unable to come up with an alternative question that doesn't come with the loaded assumption...

TaraFoxglove

kiwi123 wrote: »

I can tell you right now that the reason I find it insulting is that I am an educated person who is paying the doctor for his help.

Are you saying I'm not an educated person?

People seems to be throwing around and implying the "uneducated" tag for people who disagree with them on this thread.

drkpower

kiwi123 wrote: »

It is incredibly insulting to be called careless and wreckless when the whole process of gettig the MAP is one of the most responsible things you can do if you find yourself in doubt

The 'carelessness' or 'recklessness' is not (or should not be) a moral judgment, it is a medical one.

There are medical disadvantages to using the MAP on a regular basis versus taking routinal oral conraceptives.

Should a doctor not point to the 'carelessness' or 'recklessness' of a pateint who smokes, or who abuses drugs?

TaraFoxglove

--LOS-- wrote: »

It is not unprotected sex just because contraception fails!!

And a Doctor knows this! ....which is why they follow up the phrase 'unprotected sex' with a lecture on being irresponsible and that you really should use protection bla bla when you have!

Is asking when the unprotected sex happened a lecture?

Ickle Magoo wrote: »

Why not just ask "why do you think you may be pregnant" then? I can't believe anyone seriously believes a medical professional is unable to come up with an alternative question that doesn't come with the loaded assumption...

He/she should probably say "suspected unprotected sex" but it wouldn't insult me if they didn't tack on "unsuspected". Everyone's different I guess, but I just don't care what the doctor thinks of my sex life.

If he started lecturing me, I wouldn't stand for it but other than that... meh.

Ickle Magoo

TaraFoxglove wrote: »

Are you saying I'm not an educated person?

People seems to be throwing around and implying the "uneducated" tag for people who disagree with them on this thread.

Now who's projecting? :pac:

The "educated" comment is often made in respect of doctors who see it as their moral duty to lecture on the evils of unprotected sex, or even just sex, without bothering to check first if their patient is already well educated with the regards to contraception, is married, or whatever.