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You have asked an important question that
concerns many college age women who are sexually active. There
are three non-invasive methods of terminating a possible
pregnancy. The first is post-coital contraception (PCC), often
referred to as "the morning after pill". PCC is a
series of high doses of synthetic estrogen, progesterone, or
some combination of both. These pills must be taken within 3
days (72 hours) of unprotected intercourse. The negative
effects of PCC containing estrogen are nausea, vomiting,
headache, and breast tenderness. The PCC is available at the
Barnard Health Services. All women who receive a prescription
for PCC at Barnard Health Services are also given a
prescription for anti-nausea medication. Realize that since a
woman takes PCC before it is possible to ascertain whether or
not she is pregnant, she may not actually be aborting a
pregnancy. However, if you do take the PCC and get pregnant
anyway, you should seriously consider having an abortion
because of potential danger, of birth defects, to the embryo.
Another option is RU-486, commonly referred
to as the abortion pill. RU-486, (mifepristone) is a steroid
drug that, when combined with a prostaglandin, is an effective
early chemical method of terminating a pregnancy. Now legal in
the U.S., RU-486 is 96% effective, and can be obtained with a
prescription from a doctor. RU-486 prevents implantation of a
fertilized egg in the uterus or can bring on menstruation, if
implantation has already taken place. This drug is most
effective when used within nine weeks of the last menstrual
period, and when followed 48 hours later with a dose of a
prostaglandin. The prostaglandin induces contractions of the
uterus to aid in expulsion of the embryo. The negative effects
are similar to those of PCC, such as abdominal cramps
(sometimes severe), dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, and rarely,
heavy bleeding (consult a doctor).
The most recent drug treatment used for a
chemically induced abortion is methotrexate. A methotrexate
abortion involves a combination of injections, and pills or
suppositories. This drug which is widely available and legal
in the U.S., can be used for women who have been pregnant 8
weeks or less. This drug can be called a folic acid
antagonist. Folic acid, a B vitamin, is necessary for normal
cell division. Methotrexate helps stop rapid cell division.
Treatment includes, one injection of methotrexate followed, a
week later, by a dose of misoprostal which helps to expel the
then no longer viable embryo. Possible negative side effects
of the misoprostal are cramping, bleeding and other minor
symptoms. Thus far, no major side effects or complications
have been reported.
Consult your doctor immediately about which
option is best for you. Since you mentioned unprotected sex,
you should also talk to your physician about sexually
transmitted diseases.
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