Network: Emergency Contraceptive Pills

Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, method failure, or incorrect method use. This issue of Network includes an overview of emergency contraception: how it works, when it should be used, proper dosage, effectiveness, safety, and side effects. Other articles discuss efforts to improve emergency contraception, why many women needing the method do not use it, and ways to increase access. Also explored in the issue is the feasibility of HIV treatment shortly after being exposed to HIV (postexposure prophylaxis).

In this issue

Introduction: Contraception after Intercourse

Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, method failure, or incorrect method use. When emergency contraception should be used, effectiveness, safety, side effects, and differences between pills are discussed in this overview article. Other emergency contraceptive approaches and proper dosages for pills are presented in the chart Emergency Contraceptive Pills. Common questions about the method are answered in Typical Questions about Emergency Contraceptive Pills. Research about the mechanism of action of emergency contraceptive pills is described in Mechanism of Action.

Seeking Ways to Improve Emergency Contraception

Efforts to improve emergency contraceptive pills include making them easier to use, reducing side effects, and investigating whether the recommended time limit of 72 hours for starting use might be extended. An expanded time limit and a one-dose regimen are among options under study.

Revealing the "Secrets" of Emergency Contraception

Many women who need emergency contraception do not use it. Usually, women simply do not know that it exists or, if they know, they do not know where to get it or how or when to use it. Also, pills may not be used because providers do not know much about them. What Providers Need to Know is a short list of practices providers should follow when offering emergency contraceptive pills to clients. Helping clients to start or resume regular contraception after emergency contraceptive use is discussed in Counseling about Regular Method Needed.

Easy Access to Pills Helps Method Succeed

Keeping clients well informed is only part of a good strategy for improving access to emergency contraceptive pills. Clients must also be able to get the pills readily and at a reasonable cost, within three days of unprotected intercourse. Several Web sites around the world that offer emergency contraception information, including where to obtain pills, are listed in Internet Offers Information about Emergency Contraception.

Personal Accounts

People from three countries share their personal experiences with emergency contraception.

Is HIV Treatment Practical after Exposure?

In theory, a person exposed to HIV during sexual assault or other sexual activity can reduce the risk of infection by taking antiretroviral drugs soon after exposure, a treatment known as postexposure prophylaxis. Whether treatment should be offered routinely for sexual exposure, however, is questionable.