[Postcoital emergency contraception]

The actual methods of postcoital emergency contraception are described and compared. The method of choice is the administration of a progestagen-only pill because this method is more reliable and effective than the use of a combined estrogen-progestagen pill ("Yuzpe-Method"), and because the incidence of side-effects is considerably lower. The results obtained with levonorgestrel alone are presented by the authors. The postcoital introduction of a copper intrauterine device is highly effective, but invasive. This method is indicated if it is too late to use the pill. An open and accepting setting of the consultation and a way of taking the medical history that is pointing to the auto-responsibility are essential, especially for adolescents. Low conditions for the admission to the counselling are postulated, and the obligation to possess a medical prescription to obtain the only progestagen-only pill is questioned.