Emergency contraception can be used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse

Kolkata: Emergency contraception refers to methods of contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), these are recommended for use within 5 days but are more effective the sooner they are used after the act of intercourse.Emergency contraceptive pills prevent pregnancy by preventing or delaying ovulation and they do not induce an abortion. The copper-bearing IUD prevents fertilization by causing a chemical change in sperm and egg before they meet. Emergency contraception cannot interrupt an established pregnancy or harm a developing embryo.

Any woman or girl of reproductive age may need emergency contraception to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. There are no absolute medical contraindications to the use of emergency contraception. There are no age limits for the use of emergency contraception. Eligibility criteria for general use of a copper IUD also apply for use of a copper IUD for emergency purposes.

Emergency contraception can be used in a number of situations following sexual intercourse. These include: When no contraceptive has been used. Sexual assault when the woman was not protected by an effective contraceptive method.

When there is concern of possible contraceptive failure, from improper or incorrect use, such as: condom breakage, slippage, or incorrect use; 3 or more consecutively missed combined oral contraceptive pills; more than 3 hours late from the usual time of intake of the progestogen-only pill (minipill), or more than 27 hours after the previous pill; more than 12 hours late from the usual time of intake of the desogestrel-containing pill (0.75 mg) or more than 36 hours after the previous pill; more than 2 weeks late for the norethisterone enanthate (NET-EN) progestogen-only injection; more than 4 weeks late for the depot-

medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) progestogen-only injection; more than 7 days late for the combined injectable contraceptive (CIC); dislodgment, breakage, tearing, or early removal of a diaphragm or cervical cap; failed withdrawal (e.g. ejaculation in the vagina or on external genitalia); failure of a spermicide tablet or film to melt before intercourse; miscalculation of the abstinence period, or failure to abstain or use a barrier method on the fertile days of the cycle when using fertility awareness based methods; or expulsion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) or hormonal contraceptive implant.(UNI)