Postinor 2 is an emergency contraception pill that you can take up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. The pill contains the hormone progesterone, which is a natural hormone your ovaries produce.
Progesterone is responsible for preparing the womb for pregnancy.
When taken as emergency contraception, progesterone works by delaying or preventing ovulation. It is about 85% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken as directed. Other progesterone-containing emergency birth control pills similar to Postinor 2 are:
- Postinor 1
- Levonelle
- Plan B
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Postinor 2 is a well-known and effective emergency contraceptive pill. We often call it the ‘morning-after pill’. Postinor 2 contains the active ingredient levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic progestogen hormone. Levonorgestrel is similar to the natural progesterone hormone that your ovaries make.
Do I need a Doctor’s Consultation before I can get Postinor 2?
You can buy Postinor 2 over the counter from pharmacies. We consider it a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy. However, it is not 100% effective.
It contains only progesterone and works by delaying ovulation, preventing the egg from release into the fallopian tube, where sperm can fertilise it.
Postinor 2 is more effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected sex. It is most effective if taken within 12 hours but can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Most women can use progesterone-only containing medicines like Postinor 2 without a doctor’s assessment or prescription. However, if you have the following medical problems, you should consult your doctor to be sure it is safe to use Postinor 2:
- *Inflammatory bowel conditions like Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s Disease
- *Past or current breast cancer
- *Conditions where the blood clots abnormally, such as DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) or PE (Pulmonary Embolism)
- *A rare medical disorder often provoked by certain drugs (Acute Porphyria)
*If you have this condition, your doctor may consider that the advantages of using the method generally outweigh the theoretical or proven risks – UK Medical Eligibility Criteria
What Side Effects of Postinor 2 should I be most concerned about?
The table below shows the side effects that frequently occur after using emergency birth control pills like Postinor 2:
| Organ | Frequency of side effects | |
| Very common (≥ 1/10) | Common (≥1/100 to <1/10) | |
| Nervous system | Headache | Dizziness |
| Gastrointestinal | Nausea Abdominal pain (lower) | Diarrhoea Vomiting |
| Reproductive system and breast | Bleeding not related to menses* | Delay of menses more than 7 days **Irregular Menstruation Breast tenderness |
| General disorders | Fatigue |
* Bleeding patterns may be temporarily disturbed, but most women will have their next menstrual period within 5-7 days of the expected time.
** Pregnancy should be excluded if the next menstrual period is over 5 days overdue.
Can Postinor 2 Abort Pregnancy?
Pregnant women should not take Postinor 2. It does not abort (interrupt) a pregnancy. The few studies available on women who continue their pregnancy after accidentally taking Postinor 2 (1.5mg Levonorgestrel) when pregnant show no harmful effect on the growing baby. However, we do not know what can happen to the baby if exposed to higher doses of Progesterone.
Where can I find Postinor 2 in Nigeria?
Postinor 2 is one of the most popular emergency contraception methods you can find in Nigeria. The only methods that are more effective than Postinor 2 are the Ella (Ulipristal) pill or the (non-hormone) Copper coil. You may get Postinor from pharmacies or sexual health centres like Marie Stopes Nigeria.
Where to buy Postinor 2 ? Asset Pharmacy and HealthPlus are two online pharmacies where you can buy Postinor 2.
How much is Postinor 2 in Nigeria?
The current price of 1 pack of Postinor 2, containing two tablets, is about N1,000.00 (excluding taxes/shipping in (mid-2022). Remember, Postinor 2 is not 100% effective and needs to be used within a particular time of having unprotected sex. While it appears comparatively cheaper or easier to access than other types of contraception, it should only be used infrequently.
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Editing By AskAwayHealth Team
Disclaimer
All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising Medical Practitioners on various healthcare conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality healthcare.
The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified healthcare practitioner.
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