What is emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception is considered the methods of pregnancy protection, which are used if sexual intercourse was unprotected, or contraceptives like spermicides, condoms or caps were used incorrectly or failed.
The essence of this method, according to My Canadian Pharmacy, is to prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall and preventing the embryo from developing. In fact, it is a miscarriage at a very early gestational stage. The method effectiveness will depend on the period in which it was applied – usually the first few days, in some cases up to 5 days.
When is it prescribed?
Typically, such contraception is indicated for rape, during sexual intercourse, if no means of contraception have been used, in the case of failure during interrupted sexual intercourse if a condom has broken, the intrauterine device has fallen, or in some other cases.
How does this contraceptive method work?
Emergency contraceptive drugs cause a blockage of ovulation, interfere with the fertilization process, either interfering with the movement of the egg and its implantation mechanically or causing rejection of the endometrium.
For emergency cases, use a large dose of conventional contraceptive pills – combined or purely progestin, they will block the maturation of the follicle.
Such preparations block the hormone progesterone, increasing the contractility of the uterus walls and endometrial rejection. Intrauterine devices cause an effect by not allowing the egg to attach to the uterus.
Doses and methods
The use of combined contraceptives is taken from one to three days from the moment of unprotected sexual intercourse.
- Ethinyl estradiol-based drugs are taken, usually, in tablets, they have doses of 30 or 50 µg.
- Medications with a dose of 30 mcg are used twice with an interval of 12 hours, 4 tablets (120 mcg), the total dose is 8 pills.
- Preparations with a dose of 50 µg are used in 2 tablets also with an interval of half a day, the total dose is 200 µg or 4 tablets.
- Progestin preparations, also called mini-pills, are used no later than two days after sexual intercourse. An effective dose is 750 mcg. The drug is taken with interval.