Emergency contraception 08

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Quentin, Morgane; Nabila, Subhan

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. IUDs are considered most of the time as a normal contraception method but it can be used as EC. ECs are 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 (over a period of 72 hours) after unprotected sexual relations to prevent fertilization.Emergency contraception, essentially, is a high dosage of the birth control pill. 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 an 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) --SubhanA 3 février 2009 à 21:36 (MET)

What are the different EC methods and how do they work?

There are two main EC methods: Emergency Contraception Pills or an Intrauterine Device.

Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP)

Here's how the morning-after pill works: the human conception rarely occurs immediately after intercourse. Instead, it occurs as long as several days later, after ovulation. During the time between intercourse and conception, sperm continue to travel until the egg appears. So taking emergency birth control the "morning after" isn't too late to prevent pregnancy.

ECP or "the morning-after pill" contain the same hormones (estrogen, progestin) as the preventive Contraception Pill, though at higher doses which prevent pregnancy.

  • Progestin-only pills: contain only progestin. They are known under different names depending of the country (Plan B, NorLevo, Prostinor-2,...). Progestin prevents the sperm from reaching the egg and keeps a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus (implantation).
  • Combined pills: contain both progestin and estrogen. Aslo known as Yupze regimen, they are said to be less efficient and to provoke more severe secondary effects than progestin-only pills. They contain the same doses as other preventive Contraception Pills. Estrogen stops the ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulation) that can be fertilized by sperm.
  • Mifepristone (RU-486): is a steroid having anti-progesterone effects. It is contained in abortive pills (Mifegyne), however, taken at lower doses has a contraceptive effect.

Two of the most commonly used ECPs are Preven and Plan B.

Advantages

The 'morning-after pill' is not 100 per cent effective, but the failure rate is quite low. It's probably about 10 per cent, and rather better than that if you take it as early as possible, so it is quite efficient.

the ECP is now widely used by women who have had unprotected sex. In particular, it has proved of value to: 

   - rape victims, who should insist they are given it
   - couples who have a condom break during sex
   - women who have been lured into having sex while they were under the influence of drink or drugs.

--SubhanA 3 février 2009 à 22:14 (MET)

Disadvantages

There aren't lots of disadvantages with ECPs, but woman can be confront to some side effects. which may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness, menstrual changes and headache. But those are not very common, only about 1 woman in every 60 actually throws up.--SubhanA 3 février 2009 à 22:20 (MET)

How to get it?

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.

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)

Advantages

Disadvantages

For more information: IUD

EC pill: an example: NorLevo

Ethical problems

References

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