Emergency Contraceptives
Emergency Contraceptives
Emergency contraception (EC) refers to the use of certain contraceptive methods by girls, ladies, women to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Emrgencey contraceptive pills provide a second chance for preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex, either accidental or coerced sex, or rape.
- Hormonal Emergency contraceptive pill (ECPs) must be taken within 120 hours of intercourse, however, the sooner they are taken, the more effective they are.
- Emergency Contraceptives( ECPs) prevents between 75-95 percent of pregnancies that would otherwise have occurred
ECPs do not cause abortion because they work before implantation. - ECPs do not work once a woman,lady is pregnant
- who are already pregnant should not take ECPs.
Types of Emergency Contraceptives Pills and Dosage
- Combined Oral Contraceptives
- Progestin-only Oral Contraceptives (commonly used)
Combined Oral Contraceptives (Yuzpe Method) for emergency contraception
- Contain hormones oestrogen and progestrone- 75 % effective.
Two standard dosage options are available:
- e.g. Eugynon and some other examples of 50 mcg oestrogen pills:- Two tablets to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, but within 120 hours. Repeat the same dose in 12 hours. A total of four pills are required.
- e.g., Microgynon and some other examples of 30 mcg oestrogen pills: Four tablets to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, but within 120 hours. Repeat the same dose in 12 hours. A total of eight pills are required.
Progestin-only Oral Contraceptives E-pills (commonly used)
- Drugs in this category are dedicated for sole purpose of preventing conception- More effective than Combined Oral Contraceptive,
- 95 % effective
- Examples of brands available in Kenya are;
- Postinor2
- Pregnon
- Smart lady
- ECee2
- Truston2
- One 750 mcg levonorgestrel pill to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, but within 120 hours. Repeat the same dose in 12 hours. A total of two pills are required.
- Two 750 mcg levonorgestrel pills to be taken as a single dose as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, but within 120 hours. This regimen is to be preferred because it easier to comply with the one-dose regimen compared to the two-dose regimen.
- Regular progestin-only pill (POP) may be used: 20 tablets taken within 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. Repeat the same dose in 12 hours. A total of 40 pills are required.
Table 1.0
Pill formulations and dosing
Pill Type
|
Common Brand Names
|
Tablet per Dose
|
Number of Doses
|
Number of Tablets
|
Timeframe
for
administration
of
dosage
|
||||
a) Combined
oral contraceptive
pills
|
|||||||||
50 mcg
oestrogen
pills
|
Eugynon
|
2
|
2
|
4
|
First dose should
be given within
120 hours after
unprotected sex,
second dose 12
hours
later.
|
||||
30 mcg
oestrogen
pills
|
Microgynon
|
4
|
4
|
8
|
|||||
b) Progestin
-only
dedicated
ECPs
|
|||||||||
750 mcg
levon- orgestrel
pill
|
Postinor 2,
Pregnon,
Smart lady
Ecee2,
Truston2
|
1
1
1
1
1
|
2
2
2
2
2
|
2
|
First dose should
be taken120 hours afterunprotected sex,second dose 12
hours later.
|
||||
1.5 mg
(1500mcg)
levonor- Pregnon, pill
|
Postinor 2,
Pregnon,
Smart lady
Ecee2,
Truston2
|
2
2
2
2
2
|
1
1
1
1
1
|
2
|
Single dose should
Be taken within
120 hours after
unprotected sex.
|
||||
c) Regular
progestin
-only pill
(POP)
|
|||||||||
Regular
progestin
-only pill
(POP)
|
Microlut
|
20
|
2
|
40
|
First dose should be
given within 120 hours after Unprotected sex, second dose 12
hours later
|
||||
Advantages and Benefits of emergency contraceptive "e-pills " (ECPs)
- (75-950) % pregnancy prevention
- It is safe and easy to use.
- No medical examination or pregnancy tests are necessary or required.
- It can be used at any time during the menstrual cycle.
- Easly available - over the counter at pharmacies
Nausea ,dizziness vomiting, abdominal pain, spotting ,this side effects are known to disappear after three days if you experience adverse side effect consult a health professional or write to us me directly using as comment or privately directly contact me .
N/B
An anti-emetic may be used before the pills are taken.If vomiting occurs within two hours, the
woman should repeat the previous e-pill dose orally as soon as possible.If she vomits again, e-pill is given vaginally,placing the needed dose high up in the vagina.
Eligibility for Using Emergency Contraceptive Pills
- When one is a victim Rape
- After Unprotected sex
- Condom bust during sexual intercourse
- If IUSD comes out
- Run out of oral contraceptive or time frame for other contraceptive have run out
- History of severe heart disease complications
- Woman with Angina Pectoris
- Women suffering from migraine
- Women with severe liver disease (including jaundice)
On the above case doctor will prescribe e-pill then make follow-up after they have
taken the pills,Pregnancy poses much more risk for these women than e-pills do.
Women Who Should Not Use ECPs
- EC is not to be used as a regular method. because e pills have high dose of homones
- Pregnant women :- e-pills have no effect on pregnancy to the baby or the mother but it is discouraged to prevent wastage of e-pills
END OF NOTES ON E-PILLS
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