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Guidelines for
Administration of
Emergency Contraceptive
Pills for Medical Officers
6. Side Effects and Their Management
As explained earlier, there are very few minor side
effects to ECP. Some of the common side effects and their management is given
below. Counselling clients prepares the client for side effects and
improves the tolerance.
I. Nausea
Nausea occurs in approximately 20 per cent of women
using progestin-only ECPs.
 Taking the pill with milk or snack may help
reduce nausea.
II. Vomiting
Vomiting occurs in approximately 5 per cent of women
using progestin-only ECPs.
If vomiting occurs more than two hours of
taking emergency contraceptive pill, women should not worry as the pill is
ready in the system by that time.
But if the vomiting occurs within two hours of
taking ECP, repeat another dose with an anti emetic or ECP may be
administered vaginally.
III. Irregular
uterine bleeding
Some women may experience irregular
bleeding/spotting after taking ECPs. This should not be understood as
periods. The majority of the women will have their menstrual period on time
or slightly early.
Assess women having excessive/prolonged
bleeding for emergency and its complications or any other pelvic
abnormalities.
IV. Missed
period
A pregnancy test is mandatory if menstrual period is
delayed by more than two weeks of the expected date. If pregnancy is
confirmed, give appropriate advice.
There are no known teratogenic effects on the foetus
if the pregnancy occurs.
V. Other
side effects
Breast tenderness, headache, dizziness, and fatigue.
These side effects generally do not last more than 24 hours.
Prescribed simple analgesics.
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