Postcoital contraception: present and future options.
OBJECTIVE
This article reviews information on currently available postcoital contraceptives, and discusses recent advances in postcoital contraception, mostly notably RU 486.


METHODS
Postcoital contraceptives, or "morning after pills," are currently available in the form of high dose estrogens, oral contraceptives, danazol and intrauterine devices. These methods are plagued by high incidences of side effects and less than optimal success rates.


RESULTS
Currently, their primary use in the adolescent age group is for victims of sexual assault, but they may also be used as back-up for consensual unprotected intercourse. RU 486, best known as a first trimester abortifacient, has a number of potential uses, including that of a postcoital contraceptive. Two recently published studies from the UK showed RU 486 to have a very low pregnancy rate and fewer side effects when compared with current methods. RU 486 may someday replace high doses of oral contraceptives as the method of choice for postcoital contraception.
Derman
S G
SG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore 21201, USA.
Peralta
L M
LM
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D003613:Danazol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D015735:Mifepristone; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D003613:Danazol