You have a few effective options to prevent pregnancy, depending on how much time has passed: Levonorgestrel (e.g., Plan B): Available over-the-counter without a prescription. It is most effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. Ulipristal acetate (Ella): Requires a prescription. It remains highly effective for up to 120 hours (5 days) and is more effective than Plan B if you are closer to the 5-day limit or have a higher BMI. IUD (Copper or hormonal): Inserted by a doctor within 5 days; this is the most effective method overall. Please act quickly, as emergency contraception works best the sooner it is taken.

There is no single ?best? contraceptive pill for everyone because the safest and most effective option depends on your age, blood pressure, smoking status, diabetes, menstrual pattern, and future pregnancy plans. Doctors commonly prescribe low-dose combined oral contraceptive pills because they are highly effective when taken correctly and may also help regulate periods, reduce cramps, and improve acne in some women. The pill must be taken daily at the same time for maximum protection against pregnancy. Some women may have mild side effects such as nausea, spotting, breast tenderness, headache, or mood changes during the first few months. Certain women, especially smokers above 35 years or those with blood clot risk, uncontrolled hypertension, or migraine with aura, may need different contraceptive options instead of standard pills. Please consult a gynaecologist to choose the safest and most suitable contraceptive pill based on your medical history and lifestyle.

For newly married couples, condoms are already one of the safest and simplest contraceptive methods because they help prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections with very few side effects. If you want additional or more reliable pregnancy prevention, doctors commonly recommend low-dose hormonal birth control pills, copper-T, hormonal intrauterine devices, or contraceptive injections, depending on your health and future pregnancy plans. Low-dose contraceptive pills are widely used and generally well tolerated, but some women may experience mild nausea, spotting, breast tenderness, headache, or mood changes during the initial months. Copper-T is hormone-free and long-lasting, while hormonal intrauterine devices may reduce heavy bleeding and cramps in some women. The best option depends on age, blood pressure, smoking status, migraine history, diabetes, menstrual pattern, and comfort with daily pills or long-term devices. Please consult a gynaecologist to choose the safest and most suitable contraceptive method with the least side effects for both of you.