What are oral contraceptives?
Oral contraceptives or birth control pills are pills that are taken by women at the same time on a daily basis to prevent pregnancy. They work by preventing women from ovulating and therefore releasing eggs, thereby reducing the chances of pregnancy by 99% when taken properly. There are two types of oral contraceptives: progestin-only pills and combination progestin and estrogen pills.
What is the morning after pill?
The morning-after pill is a single pill that works to prevent pregnancy after you have unprotected sex or experience a birth control mishap. This pill must be taken within 3 days of having sex but can be taken for up to 5 days of having sex. Because this pill only works to prevent ovulation, the chances of it working effectively if you are already ovulating are reduced significantly.
Can I use the morning after pill as a form of long term contraception?
The short answer is no. Birth control provides long term or ongoing protection from pregnancy, regardless of which method you choose. On the other hand, the morning after pill only provides you with protection for an individual sexual encounter, therefore if you have sex again after taking the morning-after pill, you will not be protected. If you find yourself taking the morning after pill a handful of times you should consider getting on a birth control method that works for you.
Sources: Medicine Net
