Emergency contraception (EC) refers to methods that women can use
after unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent unwanted pregnancy.
Emergency contraception has the following characteristics:
It is used postcoital.
It is more effective the sooner it is used.
It is an occasional procedure for emergency and not a routine
method of contraception.·
Its purpose is to prevent pregnancy.
It does not cause abortion.
WHAT ARE THE METHODS OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION?
The most common methods of EC used within 120 hours or five days
after unprotected sexual intercourse are:
Increased doses of combined oral contraceptive
pills containing 50 microgram of ethinylestradiol and 250 microgram
levonorgestrel (or 500 microgram di-norgestrel), also known as
the Yuzpe method.
Pills containing 750 microgram levonorgestrel taken in 2 doses
or a single dose of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel.
