The Morning After Plan

There are many reasons why a person would decide to take the ‘Morning After’ pill and there shouldn’t be any reason to feel afraid or shy to approach a pharmacist about them. However, talking about or asking for the ‘Morning After’ pill seems to be taboo due to many misconceptions and possible ignorance about what it actually does.

We speak to Marlene Lim from ML Maju Pharmacy, Miri to help educate our community on the emergency contraceptive, the ‘Morning After’ pill.

1Twenty80: What do you think is the number one threat to malaysians’ health?

Marlene: The number one threat, to me personally, is not actually any particular disease. Any disease can be a big threat to our health. The lack of health awareness among the community, access to accurate information and a good healthcare system is the number one threat to Malaysians’ health.

Quote: Both morning after pills can be obtained from the pharmacists at any pharmacy in Malaysia without prescription.

1Twenty80: How do you think malaysians should take an active role in the betterment of their health?

Marlene: Malaysians should always be willing to be well informed and to understand their health conditions, take an active role in decision making and make active changes to improve their well-being.

This includes sexual and reproductive health as well. It is our utmost responsibility to be educated and take measures to reduce prevalence of sexual problems and diseases and this includes reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies.

Community pharmacies can be a primary source of emergency hormonal contraception, as well as being centres for providing safe and effective use of contraceptive methods and engaging in safe sexual practises.

1Twenty80: What is the morning after pill?

Marlene: The morning after pill, or the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), is a pill that is taken after unprotected sexual intercourse (no contraception or barrier method is used) or when contraception may not have worked properly (such as broken condoms or forgetting to take the usual contraceptive pills) or when a person is sexually assaulted.

In some countries, the pill is simply called Plan B pills.

1Twenty80: How does it work?

Marlene: It works by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from a woman’s ovaries, also known as ovulation. It can also prevent the egg and sperm from meeting each other.

1Twenty80: How do you take this emergency contraceptive?

Marlene: Currently there are two types available, a 1.5mg dose of levornogestrel that is to be taken within 72 hours and another one is 30 mg single dose of ulipristal acetate that is to be taken within 120 hours.

It is very important that both types of pills should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse to increase the chance of delaying ovulation.

If you vomit within two hours after taking the levornogestrel pill or three hours after taking ulipristal pill, another dose should be taken.

It is best to consult your pharmacist in relation to taking the pill, as some medications or medical conditions may reduce the effectiveness of the pills, such as some antibiotics or anti-epileptic medications.

The pharmacist can ensure that your pills are taken correctly and can answer many of your concerns.

Both morning after pills can be obtained from the pharmacists at any pharmacy in Malaysia without prescription.

1Twenty80: How many do you dispense at one time?

Marlene: One dose is normally dispensed each time upon consultation with a pharmacist.

1Twenty80: Should we keep a supply or is it better to see a pharmacist every time?

Marlene: It is definitely advisable to see a pharmacist each time to ensure that you are receiving the right medication, taken the right way, for the right condition and at the right time.

1Twenty80: Is the morning after pill advisable as a form of birth control?

Marlene: The morning-after pill is intended for backup contraception only.

It does not provide ongoing contraception and may delay ovulation. As such, it is not advisable as a form of birth control. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about starting or restarting hormonal contraception as it is possible to continue or start a hormonal method of contraception immediately after taking an ECP.

1Twenty80: What are the common misconceptions that people have about the morning after pill?

Marlene:  Contrary to belief, the pills do not prevent implantation of a fertilised egg. It is also important to note that these pills do not cause an abortion and they do not cause harm to an embryo or foetus if taken during pregnancy.