Do emergency pills prevent pregnancy?
DEAR Doctor,<br>I had unprotected sex a week ago and I took two tabs of Pilplan immediately then continued with one a day for seven days. Can pregnancy still occur? What are emergency pills?
Ask the Doctor
Do emergency pills prevent pregnancy?
Dear Doctor,
I had unprotected sex a week ago and I took two tabs of Pilplan immediately then continued with one a day for seven days. Can pregnancy still occur? What are emergency pills?
St
Dear St,
Emergency pills, or the ‘morning after pill’ are pills that one takes to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Doctors call it ‘emergency contraception’.
It is useful to prevent pregnancy especially in cases of rape or when condoms tear, or after missing a pill. This emergency contraception comprises of higher doses of the drugs used for routine family planning. The dose has to be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. If no period occurs within three weeks after taking the pills, one should confirm with a pregnancy test, whether or not you are pregnant.
Pills are quite effective but inserting an IUD within five days of the unprotected sex is even more effective. However, emergency contraception only prevents pregnancy and does not protect against HIV or other STDs. The way you took the pills was not how they should be taken. Be sure to confirm with a pregnancy test.
Do I need surgery
for piles?
Dear Doctor,
I have had recurring piles for the last two years. Ointments and tablets have not helped. Is it true that only surgery can cure them for good?
WK.
Kampala
Dear WK,
Piles are veins around the anus that become enlarged. They are usually painless swellings unless something happens to them.
It is not necessary to do anything about them because they do not show any symptoms.
Occasional symptoms may be dealt with using creams and ointments although this does not cure them.
Having soft stool and no constipation decreases the chances of them growing bigger.
When piles become infected, start bleeding, are painful or become too big, then it may be necessary to remove them by surgery. It is a simple operation carried out in hospital. You should not worry about the piles if they are not giving you symptoms. If they are, see a doctor.
Dr Paul Semugoma semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor, Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug
Do emergency pills prevent pregnancy?
Dear Doctor,
I had unprotected sex a week ago and I took two tabs of Pilplan immediately then continued with one a day for seven days. Can pregnancy still occur? What are emergency pills?
St
Dear St,
Emergency pills, or the ‘morning after pill’ are pills that one takes to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Doctors call it ‘emergency contraception’.
It is useful to prevent pregnancy especially in cases of rape or when condoms tear, or after missing a pill. This emergency contraception comprises of higher doses of the drugs used for routine family planning. The dose has to be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. If no period occurs within three weeks after taking the pills, one should confirm with a pregnancy test, whether or not you are pregnant.
Pills are quite effective but inserting an IUD within five days of the unprotected sex is even more effective. However, emergency contraception only prevents pregnancy and does not protect against HIV or other STDs. The way you took the pills was not how they should be taken. Be sure to confirm with a pregnancy test.
Do I need surgery
for piles?
Dear Doctor,
I have had recurring piles for the last two years. Ointments and tablets have not helped. Is it true that only surgery can cure them for good?
WK.
Kampala
Dear WK,
Piles are veins around the anus that become enlarged. They are usually painless swellings unless something happens to them.
It is not necessary to do anything about them because they do not show any symptoms.
Occasional symptoms may be dealt with using creams and ointments although this does not cure them.
Having soft stool and no constipation decreases the chances of them growing bigger.
When piles become infected, start bleeding, are painful or become too big, then it may be necessary to remove them by surgery. It is a simple operation carried out in hospital. You should not worry about the piles if they are not giving you symptoms. If they are, see a doctor.
Dr Paul Semugoma semugoma@hotmail.com
Write to Ask The Doctor, Box 9815, Kampala
or health@newvision.co.ug