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Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception refers to the methods used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse.
unprotected sexual intercourse can happen after:
- missing birth control pills
- or by a broken condom
- sexual assault: Sometimes emergency contraception is needed in cases where the woman has been raped to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
- no contraception used intentionally
- incorrect use of contraception
Methods are usually referred to by (morning-after method).
**Emergency contraceptive methods:
- Levonorgestrel pills:
- Should be taken within 72 hours after intercourse
- Can be taken up to 5 days but are less effective
- It is over the counter in some countries but in others it needs a prescription
- It works by delaying ovulation or preventing fertilization
- Side effects:
**nausea
**breast pain
**fatigue
**menstrual changes
- Ulipristal acetate pill:
- Can be used up to 5 days after intercourse
- More effective closer to ovulation
- Can’t be taken without prescription
- Delays ovulation even if it was about to occur
- Copper intrauterine device:
- The most effective of all methods
- It has to be inserted within 5 days of intercourse
- More than 99% effective
- Provides long term contraception up to 10 years
- Copper is toxic to sperms and also it prevents fertilization and embryo implantation
Does emergency contraception terminate an existing pregnancy?
No
Does emergency contraception protect against sexually transmitted diseases?
No
What is the success rate of different emergency contraception methods?
- Levonorgestrel pills: 75-95%, the earlier the better
- Ulipristal acetate pill: 95-98%
- Copper intrauterine device: more than 99% effective
The following factors affect how well emergency contraception work:
- Time since intercourse
- Timing of ovulation
- BMI (levonorgestrel is less effective in high BMI)
- Drug interactions like enzyme inducing drugs
Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G
Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist
