Emergency :
A split
dose of two emergency contraceptive pills (most are now provided as
one single-dose pill)
Emergency
contraceptive methods are medications (sometimes misleadingly referred to
as "morning-after pills") or devices used after unprotected sexual
intercourse with the hope of preventing pregnancy. They work primarily by
preventing ovulation or fertilization. A number of
options exist, including high dose birth control pills, levonorgestrel, mifepristone, ulipristal and
IUDs. Levonorgestrel pills, when used within 3 days, decrease the chance
of pregnancy after a single episode of unprotected sex or condom failure by 70%
(resulting in a pregnancy rate of 2.2%).Ulipristal, when used within
5 days, decreases the chance of pregnancy by about 85% (pregnancy rate
1.4%) and might be a little more effective than
levonorgestrel. Mifepristone is also more effective than
levonorgestrel while copper IUDs are the most effective method. IUDs can
be inserted up to five days after intercourse and prevent about 99% of
pregnancies after an episode of unprotected sex (pregnancy rate of 0.1 to
0.2%). This makes them the most effective form of emergency
contraceptive. In those who are overweight or obese levonorgestrel
is less effective and an IUD or ulipristal is recommended.
Providing
emergency contraceptive pills to women in advance does not affect rates of
sexually transmitted infections, condom use, pregnancy rates, or sexual
risk-taking behavior. All
methods have minimal side effects.
TAGS :
COMMENTS