Emergency contraception can be a lifesaver when your primary method fails. However, if the pill becomes a regular habit, it can lead to serious consequences. A surgeon and obstetrician-gynecologist, Ersa Shamil Ramazanovich, described such a case from his practice on Threads, as reported by infohub.kz.
During his shift, a young woman came to the doctor complaining of an irregular cycle, lower abdominal pain, and constant spotting. She said she had been taking Escapelle (Postinor) at least twice a week, and in the last month, she had taken it 6-7 times. The doctor noted that the woman did not see the situation as dangerous—she simply did not know that this was not acceptable.
Escapelle contains levonorgestrel, a hormone used for emergency contraception. It delays or prevents ovulation, reducing the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex. The drug does not terminate an existing pregnancy. The doctor explained the mechanism with a metaphor: "Imagine that the regulation of your menstrual cycle is like precise, delicate Swiss watches. The pituitary gland and ovaries carefully release micro-doses of hormones every day to keep everything running like clockwork. Now imagine a horse galloping at full speed into those delicate watches. That's what one tablet of emergency contraception is—a horse. It contains a huge, horse-sized dose of the hormone (levonorgestrel). Its job is to cause such a powerful hormonal shock that the ovaries literally 'freeze' and postpone ovulation, and the uterine lining is shed immediately," the doctor writes.
A single dose rarely causes dangerous side effects, but it is not intended for ongoing protection against pregnancy. The doctor listed four reasons why you should not turn it into a regular contraceptive method. First, it can disrupt ovarian function: frequent use interferes with the natural course of the menstrual cycle and alters the timing of ovulation. Second, it disrupts the menstrual cycle: frequent use can lead to irregular bleeding and delayed periods. Third, it can cause ovarian cysts: the hormonal load can lead to the formation of follicular cysts that take a long time to treat. Fourth, the pills stop working: the drug is meant for a specific episode of unprotected sex; with frequent use, its effectiveness decreases, and the risk of pregnancy increases.
Therefore, it is much better to see a gynecologist and choose a more suitable regular method together with your doctor—for example, hormonal contraceptives (COCs), an IUD, a subdermal implant, or patches. Thus, Postinor is not dangerous in itself, but it should not be used as a substitute for regular contraception: with frequent use, the likelihood of cycle disturbances is higher, and protection against subsequent sexual encounters is not maintained. The obstetrician-gynecologist advises taking it only in extreme cases, no more than 1-2 times a year.
"Yes, 90% of contraceptive methods are designed for women. You can complain about the injustice of the world for a long time, but your body is your responsibility. You yourself must protect it and decide when to become a mother. Dear girls, take care of yourselves and your ovaries! You only have them for life," the doctor concludes.