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Emergency Contraception (EC)
⚠️ Emergency Contraception (EC) helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. ❌ It does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
👩⚕️ Who Might Need EC?
- Unprotected sex (no condom used, condom broke/slipped).
- Missed hormonal contraception (e.g., pills, patches, injection late).
- Sexual assault where pregnancy is a risk.
💊 Types of Emergency Contraception
- Levonorgestrel (LNG) Pills: 🌟 Best taken within 72 hours (3 days), though some benefit up to 120 hrs (5 days). 💡 Less effective in higher BMI (>26).
- Ulipristal Acetate (UPA, Ella): 📆 Effective up to 120 hours (5 days). ⚖️ More effective than LNG late in the window. ❗ Delay restarting hormonal contraception for 5 days after UPA.
- ⚙️ Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD): Most effective form of EC, inserted within 5 days. ✨ Provides ongoing long-term contraception once in place. Useful if patient wants both EC + reliable contraception.
🔬 How EC Works
- 💊 LNG & UPA: Delay or inhibit ovulation. Less effective if ovulation has already occurred.
- ⚙️ Copper IUD: Creates a toxic environment for sperm and ova → prevents fertilisation ± implantation.
⏱️ Timing & Effectiveness
⏳ The sooner, the better! - LNG: best within 72 hrs. - UPA: works up to 120 hrs. - Copper IUD: ≤5 days, and may be considered later depending on cycle/ovulation timing.
🤕 Possible Side Effects
- 🤢 Nausea, vomiting.
- 🔴 Irregular bleeding/spotting.
- 🤕 Headache, dizziness.
- 🤱 Breast tenderness.
❗ If vomiting occurs within 2 hrs (LNG) or 3 hrs (UPA), repeat the dose or seek medical advice.
📌 Follow-Up & Next Steps
- 🩸 If period delayed >1 week → take a pregnancy test.
- 👩⚕️ Arrange ongoing contraception (pill, implant, IUD, injection).
- 🧪 Consider STI testing if exposure risk.
- 🚨 Seek urgent help if severe abdominal pain (possible ectopic pregnancy).
Disclaimer: 🩺 For education only — does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for contraception and post-exposure care.
| The content on this website is provided for educational and informational purposes only to support exam preparation (e.g., MLA, MRCP, USMLE) and learning. This is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional guidance. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, official guidelines (e.g., NICE, GMC, BNF), or supervised clinical practice. Always verify information with current, authoritative sources. Makindo and its contributors accept no liability for any reliance on this content, including errors, omissions, or any resulting harm, loss, or consequences. By using this site, you agree to these terms. |
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