Risk of taking emergency birth control pills for teens

Medical Video: Birth Control Pills

The rate of pregnancy in adolescence is still quite high in Indonesia. Data compiled by the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN) in 2015 showed that pregnancy occurred in 48 people out of every 1,000 teenage girls. So, it cannot be denied that some teenagers in Indonesia are sexually active. From there arises concerns about the use of emergency birth control pills for adolescents. Currently, emergency birth control pills available at pharmacies or clinics are intended for adult couples who want to prevent pregnancy. Then, what if teenagers take emergency birth control pills? Read the full information below.

Is that an emergency birth control pill?

Emergency birth control pills, also known as emergency contraception (condar) or morning after pill, is the last way for couples who want to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception serves to prevent conception, not to abort the fetus or to melt fertilized eggs.

To prevent fertilization, an emergency birth control pill will hold the egg so that it is not released into the fallopian tubes. This pill will also trigger the production of mucus in the uterine wall so that sperm will be trapped, unable to meet the egg cell.

To be effective, emergency contraception must be consumed no later than 72 hours after sex. You can still take these pills up to 5 days later, but the longer you delay, the efficacy will decrease.

Are emergency birth control pills safe for teens?

Until now, there have been no studies that can prove the danger of taking emergency birth control pills for adolescents in particular. In addition, there have been no reports that teenagers are more susceptible to experiencing side effects from emergency birth control pills. To note, some side effects that might appear after taking emergency birth control pills include nausea, headache, breast pain, and weakness.

In some cases, emergency birth control pills can cause the menstrual cycle to be irregular, but will gradually return to normal. Another risk is bleeding about 2-3 days after drinking. This is because there are changes in your ovulation cycle. However, if side effects appear to be serious or have contraindications, immediately contact the nearest health service.

The risk of taking emergency birth control pills for teenagers

Teenagers under 18 years of age should not use emergency birth control pills as the only contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Because, there is no medical evidence about the risk of long-term emergency birth control pills for adolescents. This is because a new emergency contraceptive method was developed recently. So, the effect on health in the long term is unknown.

In addition, the concern that is often voiced is that adolescents have not been able to examine and make important decisions regarding their health. That is why teenagers are not allowed to smoke or consume alcoholic beverages. So, experts also do not advise teens to take emergency birth control pills. The consideration is that teenagers may not think long before having sex because they feel that as long as there is an emergency birth control pill, they will not get pregnant.

In fact, having sex at a young age still has a variety of dangerous risks. For example, knowledge of the reproductive system and minimal sexual health in adolescents can lead to a reckless attitude such as not using a condom. This can cause transmission of venereal disease or pregnancy.

Another danger that should be considered is the misuse of emergency birth control pills. Overdose of emergency birth control pills can cause vomiting and bleeding. Teenagers may also not realize that there are contraindications or allergic reactions. So, pediatricians and obstetricians believe that the best way for teens to prevent pregnancy is not to have sex.

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