Emergency Contraceptions

Emergency contraception, or post-coital contraception, refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy in the first 5 days after sexual intercourse.
It is intended for use following unprotected intercourse, contraceptive failure or misuse (such as forgotten pills, or breakage or slippage of condoms), rape or coerced unprotected sex.
Methods of emergency contraception:
World Health Organization recommends either of the following drugs for emergency contraception, for use within 5 days of unprotected sexual intercourse:
Copper-bearing intrauterine devices (IUDs):
World Health Organization recommends that a copper-bearing IUD, when used as an emergency contraceptive method, be inserted within 5 days of unprotected intercourse.
The copper-bearing IUD prevents fertilization by causing a chemical change in sperm and egg before they can meet.
When inserted within 5 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.
Emergency contraception pills (ECPs):
Levo-norgestrel taken as a single dose (1.5 mg) or alternatively, levo-norgestrel taken in 2 doses (0.75 mg each, 12 hours apart)
Ulipristal acetate, taken as a single dose at 30 mg
Levo-norgestrel emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation. They may also work to prevent fertilization of an egg by affecting the cervical mucus or the ability of sperm to bind to the egg.
Emergency contraceptive pills are recommended for occasional use only after unprotected intercourse and are not recommended for regular use as an ongoing contraceptive method because of the higher possibility of failure compared with oral contraceptive pills.
Combined oral contraceptive pills or the Yuzpe method:
The Yuzpe method uses combined oral contraceptive pills. The pills are taken in 2 doses.
The first dose should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse (preferably within 72 hours but as late as 5 days) and the second dose should be taken 12 hours later.