Patient's question:
I have a good sister, and she and her boyfriend always take emergency contraception pills after having sex. But recently, she saw some people online saying that taking emergency contraception pills can increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy and may lead to infertility. She is very worried now.Doctor's answer:
Emergency contraception pills will never increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Emergency contraception pills work by affecting a woman's endocrine system to prevent the reunion of sperm and eggs and the implantation of fertilized eggs. It is precisely this mechanism that makes breastfeeding that may not achieve the desired effect, such as when the fertilized egg has already formed before taking the medication. After the fertilized egg is delivered in the fallopian tube, it reaches the uterus through the beating of the fallopian tube cilia and the peristalsis of smooth muscle. When the drug affects the peristalsis of the fallopian tube, the path of the fertilized egg is blocked, and it cannot normally enter the uterus, which may lead to ectopic pregnancy. However, this probability is extremely small. There are some risk factors for ectopic pregnancy, such as some induced abortions and too frequent sexual activity. Emergency contraception pills cannot replace conventional breastfeeding and should be used under the guidance of a professional doctor.