Post Coital Contraception

It may be necessary in condom bursts or any other situation where pregnancy risk has occurred and the pregnancy is not desired. There are three methods for post coital contraception

• Copper-T IUD as Emergency Contraception
• High dose combined Oral Contraceptive pills
• High doses progestin-only pill.

The copper-T intrauterine device (IUD) can be inserted up to five days after unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Insertion of a copper-T IUD is much more effective than use of combined emergency contraceptive pills or progestin-only pills, reducing the risk of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse by more than 99%.

Combined emergency contraceptive pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin. A combined emergency contraceptive pill reduces the risk of pregnancy by about 75%. Therapy is more effective the earlier it is initiated within the 72 hours window. The treatment schedule is one dose of ethinylestradiol of 100-120 ug (e.g., 4 tablets of Nordette) within 72 hours after unprotect intercourse, and a second dose of 100-120 ug, 12 hours after the first dose.

Progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills contain no estrogen. Only the progestin levonorgestrel has been studied for use as an emergency contraceptive. The treatment schedule is one 0,75 mg dose within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, and second 0,75 mg dose 12 hours after the first dose. Use of progestin-only ECPs reduces the risk of pregnancy by about 89%. Therapy is more effective the earlier it is initiated within the 72 hours. In Singapore, the preparation available is Postinor (each dose contains 0,75 mg of levonorgestrel). Instructions: take 1 pill within 72 hours after unprotected sex intercourse and 1 more pill 12 hours later.