Hello and welcome to the zero to finals podcast.

My name is Tom and in this episode I'm going to be talking to you about emergency contraception.

And you can find written notes on this topic at zero to finals.com slash emergency or in the

contraception section of the zero to finals obstetrics and gynecology book.

So let's get straight into it.

Emergency contraception can be used after episodes of unprotected sexual intercourse.

And this includes situations where the contraceptive method is not protective, such as damaged

condoms or multiple missed pills.

There are three options for emergency contraception.

Lever norgestrel, which should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse.

Alopristel, which should be taken within 120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse, alopristel, which should be taken within 120 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse,

or the copper coil, which can be inserted within five days of unprotected sexual intercourse,

or within five days of the estimated date of ovulation.

The copper coil is the most effective form of emergency contraception.

It's also not affected by body mass index, enzyme-inducing drugs or malabsorption,

all of which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the oral methods.

With the oral methods of emergency contraception,

meaning levo-norgestrel or alipristel,

the sooner it's taken, the more effective it is.

Oral emergency contraception is unlikely to be effective

after ovulation has occurred.

This is because it works by preventing ovulation.

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