Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception
Emergency contraception
	An emergency contraception pill
Background
Type	Hormonal (progestin or others) or intrauterine
First use	1970s
Synonyms	Emergency postcoital contraception
Failure rates (per use)
Perfect use	ECP: see article text; IUD: under 1%
Typical use	% (please see Effectiveness of ECPs below)
Usage
User reminders	Pregnancy test required if no period seen after 3 weeks
Clinic review	Consider need for STI screening and ongoing birth control needs
Advantages and disadvantages
STI protection	No
Periods	ECP may disrupt next menstrual period by a couple of days. IUDs may make menstruation heavier and more painful
Benefits	IUDs may be subsequently left in place for ongoing contraception
Risks	As per methods
Medical notes
	Use as soon as possible.; Copper IUD within 5 to 10 days; Ulipristal acetate or mifepristone pill within 5 days; Levonorgestrel pill within 3 days; Yuzpe regimen (combined estrogen/progestin pills at higher doses) is no longer recommended unless other options are not available;

Emergency contraception (EC) is a birth control measure, used after sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

There are different forms of EC. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), sometimes simply referred to as emergency contraceptives (ECs), or the morning-after pill, are medications intended to disrupt or delay ovulation or fertilization, which are necessary for pregnancy.

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) – usually used as a primary contraceptive method – are sometimes used as the most effective form of emergency contraception. However, the use of IUDs for emergency contraception is relatively rare.

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