Emergency contraception –also called postcoital contraception — is a method of birth control that may be used by women who have had unprotected sex (by choice or as in rape) or used a birth control method that failed, eg. the condom tore or slipped off during sex. Emergency Contraception prevents pregnancy by interfering with ovulation. It does not cause an abortion and cannot protect from sexually transmitted infections

There are 2 types of emergency contraception:

1. Contraceptive Pills
2. Intra-uterine devices (IUD)

There are 3 types of emergency contraceptive pills

1. Levonorgestrel containing pills: These are most popular, effective and easily available.
2. Combined oral contraceptive pills: multiple tablets are required and have less efficacy and more side effects especially nausea due to high doses of estrogen.
3. Ulipristal containing pills: is not yet available in India. It is just one tablet within 120 hours of unprotected sex.

Here I will discuss the Levonorgestrel (LNG) containing pills as they are the most commonly used. Only one LNG pills must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. It has a success of 90%. It acts by preventing ovulation, by preventing fertilization, and by causing changes in the endometrium such that it is not receptive to implantation.

What are the side effects of contraceptive pills?

The commonest side effects are nausea, vomiting, headache, fatigue, and menstrual changes. It is important to realize that the next one to two periods may be delayed shortened and irregular. In case one does not get a normal period after the pill then one must check for pregnancy. They are easily available over the counter and do not need a prescription.

One must take these pills as emergency contraception and should not misuse them as a regular form of contraception after sex (especially married women or those in a stable relationship).

An Intrauterine Device (IUD) can be inserted in the uterus after unprotected intercourse provided it is done within the first 5 days and ideally in the proliferative phase. It acts by preventing the implantation of the fertilized embryo. This method is usually acceptable to married women who already have children and would like to continue with the same method even after the current cycle.

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