Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Pharmacology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Multiple emergency contraception (EC) methods are accessible in the United States.
• Understanding the efficacy, safety, and availability of each EC option is crucial for informed decision-making.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of available emergency contraception methods in the US.
• To detail the efficacy, mechanism of action, safety, side effects, and accessibility of each EC option.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature and product information on emergency contraception.
• Comparative analysis of different EC methods based on scientific evidence.

Main Results:

• The copper intrauterine device (IUD) demonstrates the highest efficacy as emergency contraception.
• Ulipristal acetate and levonorgestrel pills are also effective EC options, with varying availability and prescription requirements.
• Levonorgestrel pills are available without a prescription, ulipristal acetate requires a prescription, and the copper IUD necessitates clinical insertion.

Conclusions:

• The copper IUD is the most effective emergency contraceptive method.
• While EC pills may not impact population-level pregnancy or abortion rates, they serve as a critical option for individuals needing to prevent pregnancy post-coitus.
• Informed choices regarding emergency contraception depend on understanding method-specific characteristics and accessibility.