contraception, emergency

The contraception, emergency - Measures to avoid pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse. There are two main methods: hormonal and physical. In the first, oral contraceptives (the “morning after” pill) should be taken in a high dose as soon as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse: preferably within 12 hours, but no later than 72 hours afterwards.

The pills contain a high dose of the hormone progesterone. In the physical method, an IUD is inserted by a doctor within five days of unprotected sex. Both methods are thought to work by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.