Expert: Pat G - 6/17/2009

Question
I had an abortion about a week ago june 9. 2009 and now its june 17. i had unprotected sex this morning and am wondering if i can take the morning after pill to prevent future pregnancy today?

Answer
Hello, Daisy,

Please understand that the morning after pill might be a very early abortion.

That said, there are two considerations you should think about. First, the morning after pill is a heavy dose of hormones, and that is not good for your body. Abortion already disrupted your hormones. Your body won't get back to some semblance of normal until you stop disrupting your hormones like that.

The second consideration is that you want to take these powerful hormones when you don't even know if you "need" them! You don't know if you were fertile, and you don't know if you would get pregnant.

Please give some thought to the fact that you are continuing to play with fire. This is a double whammy, and if you aborted your first pregnancy, you are looking at possible breast cancer while you are fairly young. You are also looking at the possibility you won't be able to have a normal pregnancy and baby in the future. And if you take hormones now, you will make yourself more prone to sexually transmitted disease because of the way they alter your natural hormone balance.

It is good you are aware the sex was unprotected. A lot of people think that if they use a condom, they're protected. They're not. Condoms don't work. But on the other hand, why continue to take the chance that caused you to get an abortion in the first place? You deserve better. I'm sure sex causes pleasure, but the worry of abortion, and the risk of abortions and heavy doses of hormones is going to tend to counteract that. Ask yourself why you are having sex. Is it because you are looking for love? If you and your partner are not married, is he taking advantage of you? Is there any kind of manipulation going on?

You're looking at a short term remedy for a longer term problem. And the short term remedies can cause serious harm.

I can't advise you to take the morning after pill over the internet, and neither can anyone else, including a doctor. You really should consult a doctor about what you are doing. Don't go to the person who gave you the abortion. Find someone else. Find someone who respects you enough to respect the integrity of your body, who doesn't think it's so cool to invade your body like an abortion does. If you would like some suggestions on how to find such a doctor, please let me know. But please take care of yourself and stop taking chances. Stay safe!