Emergency Contraception: Current Methods, Usages and Issues

Abstract

Emergency contraception (EC) is defined as the contraceptive measure capable of preventing pregnancy following an unprotected vaginal intercourse. It works by mainly preventing ovulation and fertilization. Efficacy for different available methods of EC is now well established. Side effects of emergency contraception are less and manageable. Dedicated emergency contraceptive regimens are available for use in many countries. Levonorgestrel compared to other hormonal combinations is favored as the emergency contraceptive pill of choice because of its better efficacy and less side effects. Besides fulfilling the unmet need for contraceptives among young adolescents, emergency contraception is considered as one of the best alternative and back-up approaches of contraception in married women. However, awareness and use of emergency contraception is not widespread in developing countries, which account for a majority of worlds population. In the present review we attempt to bring together the current status on various methods of emergency contraception and the issues related to availability, accessibility and use of EC among the prospective users. Keywords: Estrogens, Progestogens, levonorgestrel, luteinization, mifepristone, progestin-only contraceptive pills (POPs)