Is constant use of the morning after pill safe?

Question

I have a friend who is 19 and had an abortion in January 08, she is still taken 'the pill' even though she is not having unprotected s*x.

Im worried this can be doing damage to her body, as she frequently gets headaches and problems sleeping , although she said this happened before she fell pregnant.

Does anyone know of dangers / concequences of constantly taking the pill when she is not having unprotected s*x?

so i can try and stop her taking the pill unnecessarily.

She says she takes the pill still as shes scared of falling pregnant again.

Thanks

Answer 1

This is not safe at all!!!!

The morning after pill must not be used as a form of contraception and should certainly not be taken on a continued basis!

You are talking about the Morning After pill and not the contraceptive pill (that one takes on a daily basis aren't you?) She needs to see her GP asap and stop taking those tablets.

Your 'friend' needs to adopt a more adult approach to birth control and start taking proper precautions and not relying or using the morning after pill as a method of contraception. Who on earth is giving her the morning after pill on such a continued basis?

edit

OK well if it's the normal contraceptive pill then it must be taken as directed on a daily basis to be effective. There is a big difference between the morning after pill and the contraceptive pill. Many women continue taking the contraceptive pill even if they aren't in a sexual relationship at present.  If she is having issues sleeping and headaches then she should see her GP...it may be related to the pill or it may not.

The morning after pill is emergency contraception that is taken after s*x often the, 'morning after' to prevent pregnancy and act to prevent ovulation or fertilisation and possibly post-fertilisation implantation of a blastocyst (embryo)

Answer 2

Taking birth control pills all the time, as directed, is safe.

Morning after pills basically have the same hormones as can be found in 3 birth control pills. So if one were to be taking morning after pills all the time, it would be sort of like taking lots of birth control pills. Very long term use may result in some problems, like increased risk of breast cancer, MAYBE. But the real concern here is if  your friend is constantly taking the morning after pill, it's an indication that she is having some psychological issues that need to be dealt with. It sounds like becoming accidentally pregnant triggered in her an anxiety about becoming pregnant, so that she is irrationally taking measures to prevent it when she shouldn't be. (Taking the birth control pill even when you're not having s*x is fine, and many women do that--because you never know when you might begin a relationship. It's taking morning after pills, if that's what you're saying she's doing, that is the problem). She should speak with a psychologist and perhaps see about taking some anti-anxiety pills. Having an abortion can be an emotionally troubling action for some women, and she might want to talk about it. Also, taking either morning after pills or birth control pills can affect mood, like making you moody or depressed. So the pills themselves could be causing that issue.

Answer 3

The morning after pill and birth control pills are not the same.

The morning after pill is used after you have unsafe s*x, and makes you throw up and feel terrible because it has a big dose of chemicals in it.

Birth control pills, called The Pill, are safe to take for years with or without having s*x.

Answer 4

The pill and the morning after pill are not the same thing!! Lots of women take the pill for long periods of time without any negative effects. I believe there are studies that sow you may be at increased risk of breast cancer but then so does a high fat diet, alcohol and probably these days the air you breathe! Lots of women take it for heavy/painful periods and not contraception and there is one you can take for acne as well. Have you thought that her problems may be due to undiagnosed depression from her abortion? It is a very traumatic experience. If she has had these problems for a long time she should check with her doctor, there is a tiny risk of a stroke with the pill, so make sure she has regular check-ups. I personally wouldn't take the pill but that is my choice, and it is your friends choice, just point out the facts, but what she does is her business.  

Answer 5

The morning after pill is safer than a metal coat hanger, but not recommended 4 regular use

Answer 6

The morning after pill or the regular birth control pill? They're different.

It sounds like she's just taking the normal, one-a-day pill. That's absolutely safe to use for years at a time, even without s*x. Many not sexually active women take it for acne or period pain. And yes, it is a good thing for a girl to take if she thinks she might have unprotected s*x suddenly and doesn't want to get pregnant.

Headaches could be a side effect of the pill, not sure about sleeping problems, though most women don't experience them and they normally go away within a few months of taking it. If she thinks there's a connection she can see her doctor to change pill though if she had those symptoms before then it's probably someting else.

The morning after pill should only be used in emergencies after unprotected s*x and not taken constantly, but I don't think your friend is doing that.

Harriet

Answer 7

It'll definately be the birth control pill she's taking, there's no way she'd be prescribed the morning after pill for every day use!!

What she's doing is perfectly safe and very sensible so leave her to it!

Answer 8

IT'S NOT SAFE!!!!

The morning after pill is supposed to be used only in emergencies, when you can only go to plan B!! It is not the same as a birth control pill. It's REALLY bad for you. Tell her to stop or it can cause serious damages.

Answer 9

you should not talk your friend out of taking the pill it is her business if she is having other problems she should go to see her doctor, you cant just stop taking the pill it doesnt work like that. and it would be worse for her if she did stop taking it and became pregnant again and had to go for another abortion. many women take the pill for reasons other than birth control as well.

Answer 10

Why don't you let your friend worry about her own contraceptive decisions. You aren't very well informed if you don't know the difference between the morning after pill and the contraceptive pill, so you shouldn't be dishing advice out at all. If she is depressed then she should see the doctor if she feels she needs to - it could have nothing to do with the pill at all. Many people take the pill for other reasons than contraceptive,- painful periods,regulating hormones, irregular periods.