Emergency postcoital contraception.
Emergency postcoital contraception, a method used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, is a highly effective but underutilized birth control option. Two hormone regimens, ethinyl estradiol (100 microg) with levonorgestrel (0.5 mg) or high-dose levonorgestrel (0.75 mg), given within 72 hours of intercourse and repeated 12 hours later, are available for this purpose. These regimens are packaged as Food and Drug Administration labeled, dedicated products or can be adapted for use from standard oral contraceptive pills. Emergency postcoital contraception should be considered as a primary prevention health service to women of childbearing age.
Wertheimer
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Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01605, USA.
D000019:Abortifacient Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003657:Decision Making; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008600:Menstruation-Inducing Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015735:Mifepristone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
D000019:Abortifacient Agents; D003278:Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; D003280:Contraceptives, Oral, Synthetic; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D003283:Contraceptives, Postcoital, Synthetic; D008600:Menstruation-Inducing Agents; D015735:Mifepristone; D004997:Ethinyl Estradiol; D016912:Levonorgestrel