Emergency Contraception: More Than A Morning After Pill

Emergency contraception (postcoital contraception, the "morning-after pill") has been available for almost 30 years but remains vastly underutilized. As many as 50% of undesired pregnancies could be prevented with the use of emergency contraception. Currently used regimens include ethinyl estradiol/norgestrel (the Yuzpe regimen) and copper-containing IUDs. The limiting side effects with the Yuzpe regimen are nausea and vomiting. Potential agents of the future include mifepristone and levonorgestrel, which do not include estrogen and thereby minimize nausea and vomiting. More widespread education of physicians and patients about the safety and benefits of emergency contraceptive treatment is necessary.