Emergency Contraception Need to know

Emergency Contraception is that method which is used as a method to prevent pregnancy after few days of intercourse. It is called emergency contraception because the parents have some accidents with intercourse. There may be a contraceptive failure, tearing of condoms, forget to take the Oral contraceptive pills etc.

There are two methods of emergency contraception: copper-bearing intrauterine devices (IUDs) and emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs).

World Health Organization (WHO) mentions that a copper-bearing IUD, as an emergency contraceptive, be inserted within 5 days of insecure intercourse. This may be a best emergency contraceptive for a woman who is hoping for an ongoing, highly effective contraceptive method. When inserted within five days of uncovered intercourse, a copper-bearing IUD is over 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. This is the most effective form of emergency contraception accessible.

Emergency contraceptive pill Bangladesh with their price

Brand Name Manufacturer/Marketer Composition Dosage Form Pack Size & Price
EMCON Renata Limited Levonorgestrel 0.75mg Tablet 2 tabs: 45.16 MRP
I-PILL Popular Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Levonorgestrel 0.75mg Tablet 2 tabs: 45.15 MRP
NORIX Social Marketing Company Levonorgestrel 0.75mg Tablet 2 tabs: 45.16 MRP
NORPILL 1 Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Levonorgestrel 1.5mg Tablet 5’s: 300.00 MRP
POSTINOR-2 Gedeon Richter/City Overseas Levonorgestrel 0.75mg Tablet 2 tabs: 80.00 MRP

Once inserted, the woman can continue to use the IUD as an ongoing method of contraception, and she may choose to alter another contraceptive method in the future.

A copper-bearing IUD is a very safe form of emergency contraception. The risks of infection, expulsion or perforation are low. The only situation in which a copper-bearing IUD should never be used as emergency contraception is if a woman is already pregnant.

WHO also recommends levonorgestrel — a pill for emergency contraceptive use. The pill should be taken as a single dose within five days (120 hours) of unprotected intercourse. Alternatively, a woman can take this in two doses (12 hours apart).

Based on reports from nine studies including 10,500 women, the WHO-recommended levonorgestrel regimen is 52–94% effective in preventing pregnancy. The regimen is more effective the sooner after intercourse it is taken.

Levonorgestrel-alone emergency contraception pills are very safe and do not cause abortion or harm future fertility. Side-effects are uncommon and generally mild.

They should not be given to a woman who already has a confirmed pregnancy. However, if a woman inadvertently takes the pills after she becomes pregnant, the available evidence suggests that the pills will not harm either the mother or her fetus.

Source: WHO