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[Emergency contraception : practical guideline]
A Béliard1, N Chabbert-Buffet2, A Pintiaux3
1Service de Gynécologie-Obstétrique, CHBA, Seraing, Belgique.
Revue Medicale De Liege
|December 17, 2020
Summary
Emergency contraception (EC) prevents unintended pregnancies after unprotected sex. This guidance reviews available EC methods: levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate, and copper IUDs, for healthcare professionals.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmacology
- Gynecology
Background:
- Emergency contraception (EC) is crucial for preventing unintended pregnancies following unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI) or contraceptive failure.
- Healthcare professionals require a comprehensive understanding of EC for effective patient counseling and management.
- Belgium offers three primary EC methods: oral levonorgestrel (LNG), oral ulipristal acetate (UA), and the copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive summary of the current evidence regarding emergency contraception methods available in Belgium.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of action for each EC method.
- To outline the advantages and disadvantages of levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate, and copper intrauterine devices for emergency contraception.
Main Methods:
- Review of available scientific literature and clinical guidelines on emergency contraception.
- Comparative analysis of the efficacy, safety, and usability of oral levonorgestrel, oral ulipristal acetate, and copper intrauterine devices.
- Synthesis of information on the pharmacological and physiological mechanisms underlying EC effectiveness.
Main Results:
- Emergency contraception should be administered as soon as possible after UPSI for optimal effectiveness.
- Each EC method (LNG, UA, Cu-IUD) possesses distinct characteristics regarding mechanism of action, efficacy, and side effect profiles.
- The copper intrauterine device (Cu-IUD) is the most effective method of EC, while oral methods (LNG, UA) offer convenience.
Conclusions:
- Optimal utilization of emergency contraception necessitates a thorough understanding of available methods, their mechanisms, and comparative benefits.
- Healthcare providers should be well-informed to guide patients in selecting the most appropriate EC method based on individual circumstances.
- This guidance serves as a vital resource for healthcare professionals in Belgium to ensure effective provision of emergency contraception services.
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