I Pill – What Do You Need to Consider or Know Before Taking it?-Side Effects

By  //  May 20, 2022

When planning to postpone pregnancy women make use of numerous contraceptive methods. There are many contraceptive methods such as cervical caps, female condoms, contraceptive implants, injections, patches, pills, and diaphragms. When compared to other methods, pills are the safest form.

Pills are preferred as they are easily available and easy to use. i-pill is one such common and the most popular safe to use the oral contraceptive pill. Here, we will learn about an i-Pill, its benefits, measures to be considered before using it, etc. in detail.

What is i- Pill?

i-pill is an emergency oral contraceptive pill. A hormone called “Levonorgestrel” is used in many birth control pills. It mainly stops an egg release from the ovary and prevents fertilization or implantation to the uterus. This emergency contraceptive pill i-pill is very safe for unprotected sex or after the failure of birth control. The pills should be used within 72 hours after unprotected sex. 

Apart from birth control these pills also help in irregular and painful menses and premenstrual syndrome (PMS). 

An i-pill contains Levonorgestrel (0.15 mg) active ingredients and Ethinylestradiol (0.03mg). Levonorgestrel enters the blood and blocks the luteinizing & follicle-stimulating hormone formation. These hormones are only responsible to develop and release eggs from the ovaries. So, these pills depend on the reproductive cycle by delaying the ovulation process. 

Directions for Use

i-pill should be taken within 72 hours of the unprotected sex as an oral contraceptive option.  A single dose is taken, but for the right dose consult the doctor.  The tablet should be swallowed and not crushed or chewed. It should be taken after a meal to avoid any stomach issues. 

Consider the following before you start i-pill 

1. You may experience unpleasant side effects of i-pill if you take it along with alcohol. It might lead to high blood alcohol levels which would raise the intoxication level. 

2. During pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, avoid taking the i-pill because it might produce adverse effects on the fetus’s health.

3. If you are a breastfeeding mother please stop i-pill usage as it may affect your child thru the feeding milk. However, it will not decrease the milk production

4. Better avoid machinery works as the pills make produce dizziness. 

5. If you fail to follow the i-pill dosage as recommended by your doctor, overused doses may affect your kidney and liver. 

6. When you take the I pill twice a month, your periods may delay or no periods may occur in the months as this is not a regular contraceptive pill.

Please inform your physician about your health issues like renal, cardiac, or liver problems or if you are a lactating mother. Tiredness, nausea, lower abdominal pain, and headache are noted as common side effects of i-pill.

You should know the following before taking I pill

■ Age and health history

■ Religious trust

■ i-pill will not work if you are already a pregnant

■ It will never protect against any STDs, AIDS/HIV

■ i-pill is not an abortion pill

■ Your relationship factors such as how soon you are expecting pregnancy and how many children you want

■ Birth control methods and their differences such as how effective they are in preventing pregnancies, cost, side effects 

Possible i-pill side effects

Except for a few, most of them do have any side effects of i-pill while using. 

■ If you are a smoker, you shall stop before starting the pills. Smoking may increase certain side effects while using the pills. That’s why doctors advise smoking women when prescribing I pills. Other side effects are:

■ Mood changes, blood clots (rare), headaches, nausea, breast tenderness, acne, and irregular menstrual bleeding. 

■ Some may have breakthrough bleeding known as spotting. 

■ Some may complain of headaches and migraines.

■ Decreased libido. Some may have felt a decrease in the desire for sex due to hormonal changes. 

■ Vaginal dryness: Due to i-pill there may be changes in the vaginal discharge and this can decrease the vaginal lubrication. This can cause vaginal dryness that can cause difficulty during sexual activities. 

Most of the side effects will stop after some hours. If you have bothersome i pill side effects, please consult your doctor. 

What are the situations in which i-pill can be used?

Please always remember that i-pill should be considered as a backup method in birth control and it is strictly not a substitute for any conventional birth control methods. But still, some doctors prescribe i-pill as a birth control pill. 

i-pill can be used in the following situations:

■ Females who fail to take daily doses of contraceptive pills

■ When male contraception method failures say leakage, condom tear, or improper usage

■ Accidental IUCD (Copper-T) expulsion 

■ Unprotected or forced sex

How often i-pill can be used?

This is made for any emergency and as the name implies i-pill should be taken once a while and not regularly. However, some Obstetrics and Gynaecology  prefer i-pills as regular birth control pills. So, discuss with your doctor thoroughly before initiating i-pills. 

Take away:

On the whole, i-pills are emergency contraceptive pills. These birth control pills are regarded as safe pills for females. But numerous researches have linked certain risks with the consumption of these bills. Hence care is to be taken before consumption of these pills. You should take as advised by the physician.

It is not a regular contraceptive pill and is designed for only emergency cases. The main compound “Levonorgestrel” acts 88% effective if you use it as advised. So, better consult a physician regarding your birth control option so that the doctor can guide you with safety measures accordingly.