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Emergency Contraception

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Medicines For Women

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Abstract

Although both unplanned pregnancy rates and abortion rates are high and effective methods of contraception and emergency contraception are available, the use of contraception is low. Emergency contraception is a backup method of contraception which provides women last chance to prevent pregnancy and it should not be used as regular contraception. In most countries current options for emergency contraception (EC) include: hormonal contraception, i.e. levonorgestrel (LNG) EC pills available behind the counter and ulipristate acetate EC pills available as prescription only, and copper intra uterine device (IUCD). Accessibility and ease of use favors hormonal EC over an IUCD for EC. EC pills are most effective if used in the first 24 h after intercourse. LNG is approved for use up to 72 h of unprotected intercourse, while UPA is approved up to 5 days of unprotected intercourse. IUCD is the most effective form of EC and it can be used even after 5 days of unprotected sexual intercourse. LNG has been used for several decades and it is safe for use by all women including adolescents. Thus is available in many countries as behind the counter emergency contraceptive. UPA has been used only for several years and its safety profile is not as well characterized. It is available only with a prescription. The most frequently reported adverse reactions to Vigibase (WHO data base) when LNG was used as EC were: irregular menstruations, nausea, and pelvic pain, vomiting, and delayed menstruations.

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Acknowledgment

I am grateful to Ivana Macenovski–Colic Pharm D, former student of mine, for her help with preparation of this manuscript.

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  1. Drug Safety, Exelixis, South San Francisco, CA, USA

    Katarina Ilic

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  1. Katarina Ilic
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Correspondence to Katarina Ilic .

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  1. Dean’s Department, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Mira Harrison-Woolrych

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Ilic, K. (2015). Emergency Contraception. In: Harrison-Woolrych, M. (eds) Medicines For Women. Adis, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12406-3_7

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