Emergency contraception or Post-coital Contraception
Emergency contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. It should be used within three days after the intercourse.
Emergency contraception is otherwise called as Post-coital contraception. The alternative names such as morning after contraception or the morning after pill are very misleading because emergency contraception can be used before the morning, after the morning or up to three days after the intercourse but it is very effective when taken within 24-48 hrs. It is a method of preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. It usually produces a sudden burst of hormones in the body and upsets the normal hormone pathway required for pregnancy. It is used as the first line of treatment for sexual assault victims. It is available without a prescription. It is available as a single dose or split into 2 doses taken 12 hours apart within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.
