Emergency contraception (post-coital Contraception)

Emergency Contraception is a post-coital contraceptive for women who have had unprotected intercourse or have reason to believe that their contraceptive method has failed. The article focuses mainly on Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) because they are the most frequently used form of post-coital contraception. In 1997 the FDA approved the "off-label" use of high dose of oral contraceptives for use as post-coital contraception. Since then, they have been approved for repackaging and marketed solely for use as post-coital emergency contraception. The first dose of ECPs must be administered within 72 hours of the act of unprotected intercourse. The second dose is taken 12 hours later. ECPs are believed to work in one of three ways depending on where the woman is in her menstrual cycle when she seeks treatment. It can delay or prevent ovulation, impair formation of the corpus luteum, or cause histological or biochemical changes within the endometrium, thus preventing implantation. Their effectiveness is approximately 75%, being most effective when administered as quickly as possible after the act of unprotected intercourse. The pills can cause nausea and vomiting, so the pre-administration of an anti-emetic may help alleviate these symptoms. A major issue concerning the ECPs is the lack of knowledge and availability. Very few health-care providers discuss ECPs with their patients. Most people cited the media as the primary source of information. The 72-hour window in which the ECPs must be administered makes it important for women to have easy access to these post-coital contraceptives. However, women who seek treatment will often find that their health-care provider will require a physical exam and/or a pregnancy test before writing a prescription. Yet, studies show that ECPs do not affect an implanted fetus, and there are no emergency contraceptive protocols that require pregnancy tests or physical exams prior to treatment. The AMA is encouraging physicians to better educate their patients about emergency contraceptives. Several health-care organizations are encouraging providers to supply women with an advance prescription for ECPs so that they will have immediate access to them, especially since most acts of unprotected intercourse occur at night or on weekends, when most clinics are closed. There is a possibility that ECPs might be available over-the-counter for women to have better access to the emergency contraceptive pills.