Practice Bullet In: Emergency Contraception
Practice Bullet In: Emergency Contraception
Practice Bullet In: Emergency Contraception
P RACTICE BULLET IN
clinical management guidelines for obstetrician – gynecologists
Number 152, September 2015 (Replaces Practice Bulletin Number 112, May 2010)
(Reaffirmed 2018)
Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception, also known as postcoital contraception, is therapy used to prevent pregnancy after an
unprotected or inadequately protected act of sexual intercourse. Common indications for emergency contraception
include contraceptive failure (eg, condom breakage or missed doses of oral contraceptives) and failure to use any form
of contraception (1–3). Although oral emergency contraception was first described in the medical literature in the
1960s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first dedicated product for emergency contracep-
tion in 1998. Since then, several new products have been introduced. Methods of emergency contraception include oral
administration of combined estrogen–progestin, progestin only, or selective progesterone receptor modulators and
insertion of a copper intrauterine device (IUD). Many women are unaware of the existence of emergency contracep-
tion, misunderstand its use and safety, or do not use it when a need arises (4–6). The purpose of this Practice Bulletin
is to review the evidence for the efficacy and safety of available methods of emergency contraception and to increase
awareness of these methods among obstetrician–gynecologists and other gynecologic providers.
Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology. This Practice Bulletin was developed by the Committee on Practice Bulletins–Gynecology with the
assistance of Elizabeth Raymond, MD; Archana Pradhan, MD; and Lisa Keder, MD, MPH. The information is designed to aid practitioners in making deci-
sions about appropriate obstetric and gynecologic care. These guidelines should not be construed as dictating an exclusive course of treatment or procedure.
Variations in practice may be warranted based on the needs of the individual patient, resources, and limitations unique to the institution or type of practice.
Table 1. Available Methods of Emergency Contraception ^
Abbreviations: FDA, U.S. Food and Drug Administration; IUD, intrauterine device; N/A, not applicable.
*Emergency contraception is best used as soon as possible after unprotected sex.
†
A variety of formulations of combined oral contraceptives can be used for emergency contraception. For a list of appropriate formulations, see http://ec.princeton.
edu/questions/dose.html#dose.
‡
Although these methods are not FDA labeled for use as emergency contraception, they have been found to be safe and effective when used for emergency contracep-
tion and can be used off-label for this indication.
The copper IUD is the most effective method of emergency contraception.
§
However, they can be formulated from a variety of stand- of a fertilized egg (24, 27, 29–35). The copper IUD pre-
ard oral contraceptives (http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/ vents fertilization by affecting sperm viability and func-
dose.html#dose) (15). tion. It also may affect the oocyte and endometrium (36).
The copper IUD also can be used for emergency Emergency contraception sometimes is confused
contraception, although the FDA has not labeled it with medical abortion (37). Medical abortion is used to
for this indication. The IUD is highly effective if terminate an existing pregnancy, whereas emergency
placed within 5 days of sexual intercourse and in some contraception is effective only before a pregnancy is
studies was used as many as 10 days later (16–18). established. Emergency contraception can prevent preg-
The levonorgestrel-containing IUDs are currently being nancy after sexual intercourse and is ineffective after
investigated for use as emergency contraception. implantation. Studies of high-dose oral contraceptives
indicate that hormonal emergency contraception confers
Method of Action no risk to an established pregnancy or harm to a develop-
No single mechanism of action has been established for ing embryo (38).
emergency contraception; rather, the mode of action var-
ies according to the day of the menstrual cycle on which Adverse Effects
sexual intercourse occurs, the time in the menstrual No deaths or serious complications have been causally
cycle that the emergency contraceptive is administered, linked to emergency contraceptive pills (39). Short-term
and the type of emergency contraceptive (19–22). adverse effects include the following:
Ulipristal acetate and the levonorgestrel-only regimen
have been shown to inhibit or delay ovulation (23–29). • Nausea and headache––Ulipristal acetate and levo-
Levonorgestrel delays follicular development when norgestrel products have similar adverse effect
administered before the level of luteinizing hormone profiles. The most frequently reported adverse
increases. Ulipristal acetate inhibits follicular rupture effects are headache (19%) and nausea (12%) (14).
even after the level of luteinizing hormone has started The combined estrogen–progestin regimen has a
to increase. Review of the evidence suggests that emer- significantly higher rate of nausea than the ulipristal
gency contraception is unlikely to prevent implantation acetate and levonorgestrel regimens (40).