Emergency contraception is a type of contraception that could be used to prevent unwanted pregnancies following a sexual encounter. These should be used within five days of the act of intercourse, but the earlier they are used, the more effective they are.
The copper-bearing IUD inhibits conception by creating a chemical alteration in egg and sperm before they meet.
Any woman or girl at reproductive age may require emergency contraception to avert an unplanned pregnancy. The use of emergency contraception has no absolute medical contraindications. The use of contraceptives has no age restrictions.
Who can use it?
Women and girls can resume or begin using a regular form of contraception after using ECPs. There is no need for extra contraceptive protection if a copper IUD is used for emergency contraception.
Women and girls can resume their current contraceptive method or start any contraceptive technique, including a copper-bearing IUD, after receiving ECPs containing levonorgestrel (LNG) or combination birth control pills (COCs).
On the sixth day after using ECPs using ulipristal acetate, women or girls can restart or begin using any progestogen-containing technique (whether combined hormonal contraceptives or progestogen-only contraception). If it is verified that they are not pregnant, they could have an LNG-IUD put right away. The copper IUD can be implanted right away.
Knowing the safety
ECPs have side effects similar to that of oral contraceptives, including vomiting and diarrhea, minor sporadic vaginal bleeding, and exhaustion. Side effects are uncommon, moderate, and usually go away without the need for additional medicine.
If you vomit within 2 hours after taking a dose, you should retake it. COCs are preferable to ECPs with LNG or UPA because they induce less morning sickness. Anti-emetics should not be taken regularly before taking ECPs.
Emergency contraceptive drugs do not affect future fertility. After taking ECPs, there is no delay in resuming fertility.
However, some women take ECPs regularly for any of the reasons mentioned above or as their primary method of contraception, and emergency contraceptive pills price varies accordingly. In such cases, additional counseling should be provided on other, less regular contraceptive options that may be more appropriate and effective.
Eligibility Criteria
For women with medical eligibility requirements (MEC) class 2, 3, or 4 for combined contraceptive pills or progestin-only contraceptives, frequent and recurrent ECP use may be detrimental (POC). Although there are no known health hazards associated with using emergency contraception frequently, it can cause more adverse effects, including menstrual abnormalities.
