Emergency contraception 08

Quentin, Morgane; Nabila, Subhan

What is Emergency contraception?

Emergency Contraception (EC) is a general term for any contraceptive measure used after unprotected sexual relations, in order to prevent fertilization and thus pregnancy.
There are two types of measures:

• Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP): oral way
• Intrauterine Device (IUD): placed in the uterus

The pills release hormones that will prevent pregnancy, whereas the IUD is made of copper which has a spermicide effect. However, hormonal IUDs also exists. ECs are is considered as contraceptive and not as abortive measures.

I do have a problem with the classification of IUD in the category of Emergency contraception. To me, despite the fact that IUD can interfere with the implantation of the embryo into the endometrium, it is not considered as an emergency technique...? Try to find MULTIPLE references that might or not argue in favor of this point of view--Pierre.brawand 24 janvier 2009 à 14:30 (MET)

When is EC used?

EC is used in a short lap of time after unprotected sexual relations to prevent fertilization. It has to be taken as quickly as possible in order to have the most chances of succes.
ECs should be used only in case of a unprotected sexual contact and not as a regular mean of contraception: it is not as efficient as condoms or pills which are used before or during a sexual contact. Moreover, it does not prevent sexually transmitted infections such as HIV. Only condoms do.--NabilaN 8 janvier 2009 à 10:39 (MET)

Who uses this method?

Men can't use Emergency contraceptivs, they are only made for women. It is in the women's body that the potential baby is going to develop so we have to prevent the pregnancy within women. Any action on the man's body would be useless as once the sperm is released they have nothing to do anatomically with pregnancy.

What are the main differences between emergency contraception and abortion?

• for more information on Abortion: Abortion_08

emergency contraceptive pills ("morning after pills")

2 types Plan B and Copper-T Intrauterine Device

What is Plan B?

Plan B are two white pills that sould be taken one after the other; the first one within 72 hours after the sexual intercourse, and the second one 12 hours later. But recently, a research revealed that one can take both pills at the same time within 120 hours after the unprotected sex. And as the sooner the pills are taken, the best it works, one should take both pills as soon as possible after the sexual contact.

Details about Plan B

Plan B only contains the progestin levonorgestrel and has not the same effects as RU-486, which is an abortion pill. Thus, Plan B should not be taken by an already pregnant woman. Nevertheless, if the pregnant woman takes Plan B, it won't cause birth defects.

Plan B can reduce the probability of pregnancy up to 89 %, and is more effective than Emergency Contraceptive Pills which contain both estrogen and progestin. However, it should not be taken as a regular contraceptive mean, because it is not as effective as usual contraceptive methods.

Medical experts confirm that Plan B is safe for almost every woman, but it may provoque nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, headache, menstrual changes, dizziness, brest tenderness, vomiting and diarrhea. It causes however less vomiting and diarrhea than emergency Contraceptive Pills which contain both estrogen and progestin.

Plan B does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.--NabilaN 21 janvier 2009 à 18:44 (MET)

Copper-T Intrauterine Device

The Copper-T is an intrauterine device (IUD) that some women use for regular birth control, but you can also go to see a doctor or other trained clinician, so they can insert it up to five days after sex to prevent pregnancy. As emergency contraception, the Copper-T IUD is much more efficient than the other types of emergency contraceptive pill (or “morning after pill”) because it reduces the risk of getting pregnant by more than 99%. Another advantage to the Copper-T IUD is that you can keep it in place to prevent pregnancy for up to ten years.

An IUD might not be the best birth control for you if you could be at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STDs). If you aren’t absolutely sure you and your partner are both STD free – or if one of you might have sex with someone else – that increases your chances of being exposed to common STDs like chlamydia or gonorrhea (and these STDs often show no symptoms, therefor, getting tested may be the only way to know if you’ve been infected). Being forced to have sex can also expose you to STDs. In rare cases, these STDs can cause a pelvic infection at the time the IUD is inserted or soon afterwards. Untreated pelvic infection can make you infertile ( which means unable to have a baby). --NabilaN 22 janvier 2009 à 09:19 (MET)

• for more information: IUD_08

Where can we get it? How can we get it? Do we need any medical prescription?

In Switzerland, since already a few years, people can buy the emergency pill in any pharmacy, drugstore. However, some conditions need to be respected; Only a pharmacist can sell it to you, after having asked you some precise questions, and you have to fill a questionnaire. the emergency pill cannot be sold to girls under 16 years old. If the girl is under 16 years old, she has to be oriented towards a hospital or a gynechologist.

EC pill: an example: NorLevo

• see Annex Emergency contraception 1
• http://www.norlevo.com/products.html

References

• http://ec.princeton.edu/pills/plan-b.html
• http://www.morningafterpill.org/
• http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/morningafterpill.htm
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/morning-after-pill/AN00592
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/switch/surgery/advice/sex_relationships/sex/morning_after_pill/

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