Emergency birth control | |
---|---|
Background | |
Type | Hormonal or intrauterine device |
First use | 1970s[1] |
Synonyms | Emergency contraception; emergency contraceptives; emergency postcoital contraception; morning-after pill |
Failure rates (per use) | |
Perfect use | < 5%[2] |
Typical use | Levonorgestrel < 2.1%[2] Ulipristal 1.2%[2] IUD < 1%[2] CBCPs ≥ 3.2%[3] |
Usage | |
User reminders | Pregnancy test if period > wk late[1] |
Clinic review | Consider STI treatment and ongoing birth control needs[1] |
Advantages and disadvantages | |
STI protection | None |
Periods | Pills briefly alter periods[1] IUDs may make periods heavier or more painful[1] |
Benefits | IUDs may be used for ongoing birth control[2] |
Risks | As per methods (low)[2] |
Medical notes | |
Emergency birth control, also known as emergency contraception (EC), are birth control measures used after sex to prevent pregnancy.[4] It may be used after unprotected sex or when there are concerns that currently used birth control is not effective.[2] While it should be used as soon as possible, depending on the type, it may be used up to 5 days after sex.[2] Effectiveness may be up to more than 95%.[2] It may be used by people of any age.[2]
Types include pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs).[2][5] Pills include ulipristal, levonorgestrel, and combined birth control pills (CBCPs).[2] IUDs are the most effective form.[2][5] They work by preventing fertilization or disrupting ovulation.[6][1] Emergency birth control does not result in abortion or harm a fetus in those who are already pregnant.[7][2]
Side effects with pills are generally mild and may include nausea, tiredness, and irregular vaginal bleeding.[2] If vomiting occurs before 2 hours after taking pills, another dose should be used.[2] They do not alter future fertility.[2] Repeated use, as emergency birth control, does not have any side effects beyond those of typical birth control use.[2] While they may not be as effective in those with obesity, pills may still be used.[2] IUDs are associated with a low risk of pelvic inflammatory disease or uterine perforation.[2]
Emergency birth control was first used in the 1970s.[1] Formal approval occurred in the United States in 1998.[1] They may be provided to people before they may be needed.[2] A pregnancy test is not required before use.[1] Levonorgestrel is available over the counter in the United States for about 10 to 40 USD.[1][8] Levonorgestrel is most commonly used while IUDs are rarely used as emergency birth control.[1][9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Emergency Contraception". www.acog.org. Archived from the original on 2020-06-22. Retrieved 2020-06-18.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x "Emergency contraception". www.who.int. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Canadian Contraception Consensus Chapter 3 Emergency Contraception". Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada. 37 (10): S20–S28. October 2015. doi:10.1016/S1701-2163(16)39372-0.
- ^ "What Kind of Emergency Contraception Is Best For Me?". www.plannedparenthood.org. Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ a b "Science Update: Hormonal IUD as effective as a copper IUD at emergency contraception and with less discomfort, NICHD-funded study suggests". 2021-02-04. Archived from the original on 2021-07-26. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
- ^ Leung, Vivian W.Y.; Levine, Marc; Soon, Judith A. (February 2010). "Mechanisms of action of hormonal emergency contraceptives". Pharmacotherapy. 30 (2): 158–168. doi:10.1592/phco.30.2.158. PMID 20099990. S2CID 41337748.
- ^ Trussell, James; Schwarz, Eleanor Bimla (2011). "Emergency contraception". In Hatcher, Robert A.; Trussell, James; Nelson, Anita L.; Cates, Willard, Jr.; Kowal, Deborah; Policar, Michael S. (eds.). Contraceptive technology (20th revised ed.). New York: Ardent Media. pp. 113–145. ISBN 978-1-59708-004-0. ISSN 0091-9721. OCLC 781956734.
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link) p. 121: ECPs do not cause abortion or harm an established pregnancy. - ^ "Compare Plan B One-Step Prices - GoodRx". www.goodrx.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
- ^ Cleland, K; Raymond, EG; Westley, E; Trussell, J (December 2014). "Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians". Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology. 57 (4): 741–50. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056. PMC 4216625. PMID 25254919.