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Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery

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Emergency contraception: an updated review.

M Guida¹, M L Marra, V Palatucci

¹Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Salerno, Italy.

Translational Medicine @ Unisa

|August 2, 2013

Summary

Emergency contraception drugs like levonorgestrel, mifepristone, and ulipristal acetate have varied mechanisms. Their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy depends on the menstrual cycle phase when taken after intercourse.

Keywords:

emergency contraception levonorgestrel mifepristone ulipristal acetate

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Area of Science:

Reproductive endocrinology
Pharmacology
Medical ethics

Background:

Emergency contraception (EC) is widely used, with various hormonal formulations available.
Controversy persists regarding the precise mechanisms of action for EC drugs.
Ethical debates are often fueled by the lack of consensus on EC's biological effects.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the literature on the mechanisms of action of common EC drugs.
To investigate if scientific consensus exists on the biological effects of EC hormones.
To analyze how hormonal EC products function differently based on menstrual cycle timing.

Main Methods:

Systematic literature review of accredited scientific publications.
Analysis of studies on levonorgestrel, mifepristone, and ulipristal acetate.
Examination of evidence regarding hormonal effects post-sexual intercourse.

Main Results:

Hormonal emergency contraception drugs exhibit varied actions.
The efficacy and mechanism of EC are influenced by the phase of the menstrual cycle.
No uniform opinion has been established on the precise biological effects of these hormones.

Conclusions:

The mechanism of action for emergency contraception drugs is not fully uniform.
Understanding the menstrual cycle's role is crucial for EC's biological effects.
Further research is needed to achieve evidence-based consensus on EC pharmacology.