Emergency contraception overview

Emergency contraception Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Emergency Contraceptive Pills

Intrauterine Devices

Mechanism of Action

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Emergency contraception from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Cultural Aspects

Diagnosis

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Primary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Emergency contraception overview On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

[1]

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Emergency contraception overview

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA onEmergency contraception overview

CDC on Emergency contraception overview

contraception overview in the news

Blogs on Emergency contraception overview

Directions to Hospitals Treating Emergency contraception

Risk calculators and risk factors for Emergency contraception overview

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [2]

## Overview

[edit | edit source]

Emergency contraception (EC), or emergency postcoital contraception, refers to contraceptive measures that, if taken after sex, may prevent pregnancy. As its name implies, EC is intended for occasional use, when primary means of contraception fail. Since EC methods act before implantation, they are medically and legally considered forms of contraception. Some pro-life groups define pregnancy as beginning with fertilization, and consider EC to be an abortifacient.

## Historical Perspective

[edit | edit source]

Interest in synthetic hormones as postcoital contraceptives originated several decades ago, with the first published study on the subject appearing in 1967.[1] A few different drugs were studied, with a focus on high-dose estrogens, and it was originally hoped that postcoital contraception would prove viable as anongoing contraceptive method.[2]

## Classification

[edit | edit source]

### Emergency Contraceptive Pills

[edit | edit source]

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)--sometimes simply referred to as emergency contraceptives (ECs) or the morning-after pill --are drugs that act both to preventovulation or fertilization and possibly post-fertilization implantation of a blastocyst (embryo). Emergency contraceptive pills (sometimes referred to as emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) in the U.K.) may contain higher doses of the same hormones (estrogens, progestins, or both) found in regular combined oral contraceptive pills. Taken after unprotected sexual intercourse, such higher doses may prevent pregnancy from occurring.Mifepristone is another kind of ECP, but is considered an anti-hormonal drug, and does not contain estrogen or progestins. The phrase "morning-after pill" is figurative; ECPs are licensed for use up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse. ECPs are distinct from medical abortionmethods that act after implantation.[3]

### Intrauterine Devices

[edit | edit source]

Intrauterine devices are usually used as a primary contraception method, but sometimes used as emergency contraception. The copper-T intrauterine device (IUD) can be used up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Insertion of an IUD is more effective than use of Emergency Contraceptive Pills - pregnancy rates when used as emergency contraception are the same as with normal IUD use. IUDs may be left in place following the subsequent menstruation to provide ongoing contraception (3-10 years depending upon type).[4]

## References

[edit | edit source]

1. ↑ "Postcoital contraception". IPPF Med Bull. 1 (4): 3. 1967. PMID 12254703.
2. ↑ Demers L (1971). "The morning-after pill". N Engl J Med. 284 (18): 1034–6. PMID 5553470.
3. ↑ A minority view in the medical community, along with many pro-life advocates, argue for a different definition of pregnancy; see Controversy section for more detail.
4. ↑ Gottardi G, Spreafico A, de Orchi L (1986). "The postcoital IUD as an effective continuing contraceptive method". Contraception. 34 (6): 549–58. PMID 3549140.CS1 maint: Multiple names: authors list (link)

Template:WikiDoc Sources