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The Handbook of Contraception pp 203–213Cite as

Emergency Contraceptives

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Abstract

Emergency contraceptives (ECs) offer a “last chance” to prevent an unintended pregnancy. Half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. It is estimated that if the general population had better knowledge and easier access to ECs, their use could dramatically reduce the number of unintended pregnancies in the United States. Currently in the United States, there are four major EC options available: progestin-only levonorgestrel (LNG) EC pills, combination oral contraceptives (COCs), a progesterone receptor modulator (PRM) EC pill [ulipristal acetate], and the insertion of a copper T intrauterine device (IUD).

Keywords

  • Progestin-only levonorgestrel (LNG) EC pills
  • Combination oral contraceptives (COCs)
  • Progesterone receptor modulator (PRM) EC pill
  • Ulipristal acetate
  • Copper T intrauterine device (IUD)

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, 2020 Zonal Avenue, IRD 220, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Melissa F. Natavio MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Melissa F. Natavio MD, MPH
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Correspondence to Melissa F. Natavio MD, MPH .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck Medical School at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

    Donna Shoupe

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine University of Southern California, LOS ANGELES, California, USA

    Daniel R. Mishell, Jr.

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Natavio, M.F. (2016). Emergency Contraceptives. In: Shoupe, D., Mishell, Jr., D. (eds) The Handbook of Contraception. Current Clinical Practice. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-20185-6_12

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-20184-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-20185-6

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