Patient's question:
I am currently living with my boyfriend, and we don't want to have children so soon, so we take emergency contraception after sex. However, recently my periods have been getting longer and sometimes even stopping. Does emergency contraception cause ectopic pregnancy?Doctor's answer:
The main component hidden in birth control pills is the reason that causes ectopic pregnancy in women. This component thins the endometrium to prevent the implantation of the fertilized egg, and also increases the viscosity of cervical mucus, reducing the resistance for sperm to penetrate, thereby achieving rapid breastfeeding. However, this very principle leads to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. Additionally, due to the characteristics of breastfeeding medication, it may cause side effects such as irregular menstrual cycles, peeling, or shortened spotting. Even if birth control pills are taken on time, there is still a 15% to 20% risk of pregnancy. Birth control pills are only a temporary measure and should not be used frequently. Long-term use of emergency contraception pills can cause significant harm to the body. There are several treatment methods for ectopic pregnancy, but the specific approach depends on the patient's condition.