title: Emergency Contraception: Do Your Patients Have a Plan B?
abstract: Emergency contraception is used after unprotected sex, inadequately protected sex, or sexual assault to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Of emergency contraceptive methods available in the United States, the copper intrauterine device has the highest efficacy, followed by ulipristal acetate, levonorgestrel-containing emergency contraceptive pills, and the Yuzpe method. However, access to the most effective methods is limited. Although advanced prescription of emergency contraceptive pills and counseling on emergency contraception to all reproductive-aged women is recommended, women should be advised to contact their health care providers after taking emergency contraceptive pills to discuss possible copper intrauterine device placement and other follow-up.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1319 Punahou Street, Suite 824, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA. Electronic address: bullockh@hawaii.edu.
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bullock
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, 1319 Punahou Street, Suite 824, Honolulu, HI 96826, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salcedo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital; D037001:Directive Counseling; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007435:Intrauterine Devices, Copper; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009649:Norpregnadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D009649:Norpregnadienes; D016912:Levonorgestrel; C555622:ulipristal acetate
keywords: Access; Copper intrauterine device; Emergency contraception; Levonorgestrel; Ulipristal acetate