Postcoital contraception: some characteristics of women who use this method

This paper describes some of the characteristics of the women who attended a medical clinic requesting postcoital contraception. The information is derived from 871 observations in 653 women who requested this contraception. The mean age of women at the time of first request for this method was older than expected (21.9 years) and the mean time from first coitus to first request for the method was longer than expected (2.7 years). Previous pregnancy with therapeutic abortion was reported by 11.3% of the women. Multiple users of the method were younger at their first visit, and more likely to report a previous pregnancy. The method of contraception used before and after the need for postcoital contraception tended to be the same. Barrier method users have need of this method either for use when they fail to use their barrier method or for use when their barrier method fails. The need for more general availability of this method is discussed.