Doctors warn against frequent use of morning-after pill

New Delhi: This can be disturbing news for women who rely heavily on the morning-after pill to avoid pregnancy. Doctors warn that frequent use of emergency contraceptive pills can disrupt hormonal balance and menstrual cycles, warning that the drug is only suitable for emergencies and should not be used as a regular birth control method.Gynecologists say the pill is designed to deal with emergencies such as contraceptive failure or unprotected intercourse, but many women are increasingly using it repeatedly for short periods of time.“Emergency contraception is a very useful tool when unexpected situations arise,” said Dr. Aparna Sharma, professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, AIIMS. “But if used regularly, it can cause a variety of problems. It’s less effective than regular contraception, so the chance of pregnancy is higher if you rely solely on emergency pills.”Doctors say one of the most common problems reported by women who repeatedly use birth control pills is interrupted menstrual cycles. Menstruation may be delayed, abnormally heavy, or accompanied by intermenstrual bleeding.“Emergency pills contain high doses of hormones. Frequent use can disrupt ovulation and lead to irregular menstrual cycles,” says Dr. Sharma.Dr Rahul Manchanda, senior consultant, endoscopic gynecology, PSRI Hospital, said the drug may cause some short-term side effects.“Common short-term side effects include headache, nausea, vomiting, unusual spotting or bleeding, and irregular menstruation,” he said. “These pills are for emergency use. Frequent or indiscriminate use can disrupt menstrual health and hormonal balance.”Doctors say repeated exposure to hormones may also interfere with ovulation patterns over time, potentially affecting reproductive health.Another concern is that emergency drugs do not protect against sexually transmitted infections.Dr Sharma said: “Barrier methods such as condoms remain vital as emergency pills only prevent pregnancy, not infection.”Experts say there is no set medical limit on how much emergency medication can be taken in a month. However, doctors stress that repeated need for them usually indicates the need for a more reliable method of contraception.