Facts about emergency contraception
Emergency contraception, or post-coital contraception, refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy in the first few days after intercourse. It is intended for emergency use following unprotected intercourse, contraceptive failure or misuse (such as forgotten pills or torn condoms) etc. There are two methods of emergency contraception: copper-bearing intrauterine devices (IUDs) and emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that a copper-bearing IUD, as an emergency contraceptive, be inserted within 5 days of unprotected intercourse. This may be an ideal emergency contraceptive for a woman who is hoping for an ongoing, highly effective contraceptive method. When inserted within five days of unprotected intercourse, a copper-bearing IUD is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. This is the most effective form of emergency contraception available. Once inserted, the woman can continue to use the IUD as an ongoing method of contraception, and she may choose to change to another contraceptive method in the future. A copper-bearing IUD is a very safe form of emergency contraception. The risks of infection, expulsion or perforation are low. The only situation in which a copper-bearing IUD should never be used as emergency contraception is if a woman is already pregnant. WHO also recommends levonorgestrel — a pill for emergency contraceptive use. The pill should be taken as a single dose within five days (120 hours) of unprotected intercourse. Alternatively, a woman can take this in two doses (12 hours apart). Based on reports from nine studies including 10,500 women, the WHO-recommended levonorgestrel regimen is 52–94% effective in preventing pregnancy. The regimen is more effective the sooner after intercourse it is taken. Levonorgestrel-alone emergency contraception pills are very safe and do not cause abortion or harm future fertility. Side-effects are uncommon and generally mild. They should not be given to a woman who already has a confirmed pregnancy. However, if a woman inadvertently takes the pills after she becomes pregnant, the available evidence suggests that the pills will not harm either the mother or her fetus.
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