Asked by
Mamta Kharab
in
Pregnancy
at
2:06 PM on September 11, 2008
Pankaj's Answer
* Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)—sometimes simply referred to as emergency contraceptives (ECs) or the "morning-after pill"—are drugs that act both to prevent ovulation or fertilization and possibly post-fertilization implantation of a blastocyst (embryo). ECPs are distinct from medical abortion methods that act after implantation.[1]
* Intrauterine devices (IUDs)—usually used as a primary contraception method, but sometimes used as emergency contraception.
Emergency contraceptive pills (sometimes referred to as emergency hormonal contraception (EHC) in the U.K.) may contain higher doses of the same hormones (estrogens, progestins, or both) found in regular combined oral contraceptive pills. Taken after unprotected sexual intercourse, such higher doses may prevent pregnancy from occurring. Mifepristone is another kind of ECP, but is considered an anti-hormonal drug, and does not contain estrogen or progestins.
The phrase "morning-after pill" is figurative; ECPs are licensed for use up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse.
Answered at
6:38 PM on September 13, 2008
Read all answers