After a recent post on Facebook, Gynaecologist Dr. Rita Hansagi felt she had to intervene to explain more about the MAP (Morning After Pill) and how it works.
Ladies. I am a gynecologist. It is my profession to answer this question.
There are 2 types of MAP available in Malta.
1. Escapelle – which contains a high dose of artificial progesterone hormone. Only thing it does when taken is delaying/postponing or blocking ovulation, by delaying the LH surge. It is simple hormone biology. Does not kill any baby.
2. Ella One – this contains another type of chemical called ullipristat – has a bit of a different mechanism – it works by modifying the progesterone’s activity, but by the end, same thing – delays ovulation. Does not kill any baby. By not allowing the egg cell to be released, fertilisation can not happen. So no embryo can form. It is preventing it. It is practically what ANY contraceptive pill does. Difference is in dosage and potential side-effects. Now if pill is taken after ovulation already happened, then it will fail as method. You can get pregnant and pregnancy will not be affected/harmed. Actually many women do get pregnant, all depends on which stage of cycle it was taken.
The key word is: before ovulation and as soon as possible after the unprotected intercourse or failure of other method. The sooner taken, the better.
If you look up proper statistics (from accredited medical publications) pregnancy preventing rate is quoted somewhere around 80-85%, not because it is not efficient, but because if you already ovulated, it can not put the egg back
And here’s the answer.
If MAP would kill any embryo, if it would target an embryo, then it wouldn’t make a difference when you take it (before or after ovulation). But because it doesn’t kill any baby, simply just targets to delay the release of the egg, it is not abortive. I tried to be as clear as I could.
Written by Dr. Rita Herczegh-Hansagi
Obstetrics-Gynecology Specialist
St James Hospital Group Zejtun, Sliema, Burmarrad; Remedies Clinic Birkirkara; DaVinci Hospital Birkirkara.
For a list of pharmacies that stock the morning after pill please click here
