title: Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians.
abstract: Several options for emergency contraception are available in the United States. This article describes each method, including efficacy, mode of action, safety, side effect profile, and availability. The most effective emergency contraceptive is the copper intrauterine device (IUD), followed by ulipristal acetate and levonorgestrel pills. Levonorgestrel is available for sale without restrictions, whereas ulipristal acetate is available with prescription only, and the copper IUD must be inserted by a clinician. Although EC pills have not been shown to reduce pregnancy or abortion rates at the population level, they are an important option for individual women seeking to prevent pregnancy after sex.
authors.affiliation: *Office of Population Research, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey †Gynuity Health Projects ‡Family Care International, New York, New York.
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cleland
authors.forename: Elizabeth G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Westley
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trussell
mesh_terms: D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000379:methods*; D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009649:Norpregnadienes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
chemical_list: D003281:Contraceptives, Postcoital; D009649:Norpregnadienes; D016912:Levonorgestrel; C555622:ulipristal acetate