To many, the thought of an unplanned pregnancy may be daunting and results in a rush for a solution when a method of contraception fails or isn't used. Emergency contraception (EC), which is commonly known as the "morning-after pill," is a backup option that can keep one from getting pregnant after sex without protection. It is most important in scenarios where normal birth control wasn't employed or has failed i.e., the breaking of a condom- or rape.

If you ever need EC, responding quickly is essential, and calling a healthcare provider can sort out the best solution for your circumstances. For people who have repeated pregnancy scares, talking to their healthcare provider about using a more dependable form of birth control may save them worry and offer constant protection against unplanned pregnancy.

With greater awareness about reproductive health, educating yourself and others on emergency contraception is important because knowledge of your choices is the beginning of taking charge of your reproductive life.

Although it is available and effective, emergency contraception is filled with myths and misconceptions. What one should note is that EC is not used to replace birth control but to serve as a safety net during emergencies. Six key facts regarding emergency contraception that every woman needs to know are listed below.

1. Emergency Contraception Does Not Work If You Are Already Pregnant

The most notable misconception regarding emergency contraception is its effect. EC does not end a pregnancy that has already been established. Rather, it prevents ovulation, fertilization, or implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus. This implies that if fertilization and implantation have already taken place, EC will be ineffective.

Other forms of EC are hormonal pills—like Plan B One-Step® and ella®—and the copper intrauterine device (IUD). If you suspect you might already be pregnant, it is best to take a pregnancy test first before using emergency contraception.

2. The Copper IUD Is the Most Effective Emergency Contraception Option

Most individuals believe that emergency contraception is only available in pill form, but the most effective form is the copper intrauterine device (IUD). The copper IUD can be inserted within five days of unprotected sex and is more than 99.9% effective in preventing pregnancy. In contrast to emergency contraceptive pills, which become less effective the longer you wait, the copper IUD is very effective even when inserted near the five-day deadline.

Besides its use in emergency situations, the copper IUD also provides long-term contraception, with protection for as long as 10 years. This makes it a great choice for those who want an immediate and a long-term solution to birth control.

3. Time Is Critical: The Sooner You Act, the More Effective It Is

In the case of emergency contraceptive pills, timing is critical. The majority of EC pills are most effective when taken as soon as one can after having unprotected sex. There are two primary types:

Levonorgestrel-based pills (such as Plan B One-Step®): These are over-the-counter and are best taken within 72 hours but can still be effective up to five days after.

Ulipristal acetate pills (e.g., ella®): This prescription-only medication can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex and is more effective than levonorgestrel pills, particularly towards the latter end of the five-day time period.

Whichever type is used, the sooner the pill is taken, the greater the likelihood of preventing pregnancy.

4. Emergency Contraceptive Pills Are Not a Substitute for Regular Birth Control

Although EC is an important tool in averting unplanned pregnancy, it must not be employed as a routine means of birth control. Emergency contraceptive pills are far less effective compared to daily birth control pills, IUDs, or implants. Repeated use of EC may also result in menstrual abnormalities and side effects like nausea, pelvic pain, and lethargy.

If you're always using EC, it might be time to talk to a doctor about a more reliable and long-term method of birth control. A healthcare provider can advise you on the best long-term option for your life and needs.

5. If You Vomit Shortly After You Take the Pill, It Will Not Work

One little-known but essential fact about emergency contraceptive pills is that vomiting soon after taking them can make them useless. If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, your body may not have absorbed sufficient medication. You might need to take another dose or explore other forms of emergency contraception, including the copper IUD.

If you have frequent nausea, taking anti-nausea medication before or using another form of EC could be more suitable.

6. Emergency Contraception Provides No Long-Term Protection

Taking an emergency contraceptive pill will not protect you from pregnancy after that one episode of unprotected sex. If you have unprotected intercourse again after using EC, you are still at risk of pregnancy. EC also temporarily decreases the effectiveness of some hormonal birth control methods, like the pill, for the rest of the cycle.

If you use EC, talk to a healthcare provider about whether you will need to continue using backup contraception (such as condoms) during the next few days or weeks to maintain pregnancy protection.

Emergency contraception is an important choice for avoiding pregnancy in an unplanned situation but is not a form of birth control. Knowing how EC works, its limitations, and the best alternatives available can allow people to make good choices about their reproductive health.

Vanellope Hope Wilkins made medical history in 2017 when she was born with her heart outside her body—a condition so rare it's described by experts as "one of a kind." Recently, she underwent a procedure wherein doctors split open her ribs to insert her heart back into her chest cavity. After the successful operation, they shared how they performed the seemingly impossible surgeries.

Born in the UK with a condition known as ectopia cordis, Vanellope underwent three major operations at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester to place her heart back inside her chest. The hospital says it knows of no other case in the UK where a baby with this condition has survived. Now seven years old, Vanellope has undergone groundbreaking surgery to reconstruct a protective cage around her heart—using her own ribs. Since then, she has worn a brace around her chest for protection.

She lives with complex medical needs and requires one-to-one care 24 hours a day. Vanellope is autistic and non-verbal, but according to her mother, Naomi Findlay, 39, from Clifton, Nottingham, she is "a happy little thing" who "brings a lot of joy and happiness." Speaking to the BBC, Naomi said she is extremely proud of the fact that her daughter has not only survived her rare medical condition but also achieved. "It makes me extremely proud to see how far she's come, what she's overcome, and what she's achieving. It's a real journey of strength and bravery... she's so brave," Naomi said, adding that saying goodbye at the theatre door before surgery is always emotional.

How Was It Done?

The surgical team carefully decided that the timing was right for this next step. Vanellope was placed on a bypass machine, which temporarily took over the function of her heart and lungs. This allowed her heart to deflate, making it easier to perform the “very tricky” procedure.

Surgeons first detached part of her heart—the right ventricular outflow tract—and the pulmonary artery from where it had fused to her skin. Then came the bilateral rib osteotomy, a procedure involving breaking her ribs on both sides. The ribs were then repositioned to create a protective cage around her heart.

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As you grow older, a lot of things change in your body. Your body grows and develops. While some of these changes could be smooth, other transitions could create a bit of turmoil. One such is wisdom tooth.

What Is A Wisdom Tooth?

As per the National Library of Medicine, wisdom teeth come in at the very back of our mouth, with one at the end of each row of teeth. They usually do not fully develop until ages 18 to 24. This is when they appear and are commonly known as "troublemakers". This is because often in our jaws, there is not enough space for these teeth, and so it can cause pain when it comes out.

Often the growth of wisdom tooth could lead to pain and inflammation and thus, removal would be necessary.

Historically, wisdom tooth date back to our distant ancestors who had larger jaws and thus had more teeth. However, as time wet by and with evolution and changing eating practices, the jaws have shrunken and are thus too small for some people to accommodate the "extra" teeth. However, this does not mean that it causes problems for everyone. For many, these teeth can easily settle in.

The percentage of wisdom teeth extracted in women is significantly higher than men, this is because women often consult more often consult more than men, as is also noted in a 2021 study published in Annals of Medicine & Surgery, titled: The wisdom behind the third molars removal: A prospective study of 106 cases.

Another study published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation from 1987 also notes that women have a smaller maximum jaw opening than men. This could also be the reason why women need to get their wisdom tooth extracted more often than men.

What Are The Signs That Tell You To Extract Your Wisdom Tooth?

If you have these signs, you may want to consider extracting your wisdom tooth

Wisdom Tooth Impaction

This is when the third molars grow without fully emerging through your gums. This happens when they grow at an odd angle and emerge crooked, and cause further damage to the other healthy neighboring teeth. The impacted wisdom tooth could often grow at 180 degrees in the wrong direction into the jaw, and thus cause oral infection, jawbone cysts, and gym disease.

Gum Inflammation

This happens when food, plaque, and bacteria get underneath your gum tissue. Swollen or inflamed gums are often the first signs of wisdom tooth impaction.

Stiff Jaw

If you witness your jaw being stiff, then this could be because your wisdom tooth is pressing against your other teeth.

Jaw Pain

This could also happen when your wisdom tooth is impacted and thus you face pain in your jaw, especially while you try to open your mouth.

Persistent Bad Breath or Taste In Your Mouth

Despite brushing and following all the oral hygiene routine, you still experience bad breath, it could be because wisdom tooth have caused decay to your adjacent teeth.

So, When Should You Remove It?

If you face any of these signs, it is best to see your dentist and consult with them before you go ahead with an extraction surgery. Furthermore, the American Dental Association notes that you may need to have your wisdom tooth taken out, if you have:

• Pain in or near your wisdom teeth.
• Repeated infection of soft tissue behind the lower last tooth.
• Fluid-filled sacs called cysts.
• Tumors.
• Damage to nearby teeth.
• Gum disease.
• Widespread tooth decay

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released three reports on Thursday that highlighted the clusters of medetomidine-related cases in Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. These reports have raised alarm about the growing presence of this drug in street opioids and the potential complications it brings to treatment and recovery.

What Is Medetomidine?

As per the American College of Medical Toxicology (ACMT), it is an alpha-2 agonist, similar to clonidine and xylazine, that is used clinically as a sedative and analgesic. It is categorized as an NPS due to its novelty in use. The CDC in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report notes that it is a canine veterinary agent used for its anesthetic and analgesic properties.

However, the National Library of Medicine's study titled Classics in Chemical Neuroscience: Medetomidine has noted that this drug "has recently been detected in the illicit drug supply alongside fentanyl, xylazine, cocaine, and heroin, producing pronounced sedative effective that are not reversed by naloxone."

As per the latest CDC report released on May 1, twelve confirmed and 26 probable cases of medetomidine-involved overdose occurred in Chicago. Fentanyl was present in all blood specimens and drug samples that tested positive for medetomidine.

It was first identified in North America’s illicit opioid market in 2022, medetomidine is now showing up more frequently in mixtures with synthetic opioids—particularly fentanyl, the drug driving most overdose deaths in the U.S.

Why Is This Worrisome?

In May 2023, Chicago officials noticed a spike in overdose cases where naloxone—the standard overdose-reversal medication—did not work as expected. After investigation, the city's health department confirmed 12 cases involving medetomidine, with over 160 more suspected or probable cases, including one potential death. This marks the largest known medetomidine cluster to date.

The two other CDC reports focused on medetomidine withdrawal. In Philadelphia, testing revealed medetomidine in 72% of illegal opioid samples collected in late 2023, overtaking xylazine in frequency. Patients exposed to medetomidine experienced a distinctive type of drug withdrawal that didn’t respond to usual medications for fentanyl or xylazine. However, a related medication called dexmedetomidine showed some success in managing symptoms.

Pittsburgh reported 10 similar cases around the same time, suggesting the issue is not isolated to one area but may be spreading through regional drug supplies.

Why Does It Matter?

The presence of sedatives like medetomidine in illicit opioids creates several public health challenges:

Reduced effectiveness of naloxone: Standard treatment protocols for overdoses may not work when sedatives are involved, increasing the risk of death.

Complicated withdrawals: The addition of new, unregulated substances alters the withdrawal process, often making it harder to treat.

Lack of awareness and testing: Many emergency responders and clinics do not routinely test for medetomidine, which could delay proper care.

This development adds a new layer to the already complex U.S. opioid crisis. As drug suppliers continue to mix opioids with a variety of sedatives and adulterants, health officials face an evolving battle. Experts stress the importance of broader toxicology screening, continued research, and expanding the availability of alternative treatments like dexmedetomidine.

While medetomidine isn’t yet as widespread as fentanyl or xylazine, its growing presence in cities like Chicago, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh points to a potentially dangerous trend—one that will require urgent attention from both medical professionals and policymakers.