Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directions

Serena Dovey, Joseph Sanfilippo Magee Women’s Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Abstract: The term emergency contraception (EC) refers to utilizing a medication or placing a copper intrauterine device within a short time interval after unprotected i...

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Main Authors: Dovey S, Sanfilippo J
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Dove Medical Press 2011-10-01
Series:Open Access Journal of Contraception
Online Access:http://www.dovepress.com/emergency-contraception-current-options-challenges-and-future-directio-a8435
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author Dovey S
Sanfilippo J
author_facet Dovey S
Sanfilippo J
author_sort Dovey S
collection DOAJ
description Serena Dovey, Joseph Sanfilippo Magee Women’s Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Abstract: The term emergency contraception (EC) refers to utilizing a medication or placing a copper intrauterine device within a short time interval after unprotected intercourse in order to prevent pregnancy. Established methods of EC include the Yuzpe regimen, levonorgestrel, and placement of a copper intrauterine device. Recently, ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor modulator, has been examined in several large-scale clinical trials and been shown to have comparable if not improved efficacy over the levonorgestrel regimen, which is the most commonly used form of EC today. EC has increased in efficacy since its advent with the Yuzpe regimen several decades ago, and many have expressed hope that widespread utilization of EC will lead to a decreased abortion rate worldwide. However, despite increased access to EC over the past several years, many barriers still exist in regards to allowing EC to be widely available to women wishing to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Future research must focus on addressing such barriers in order to realize the potential of EC to decrease abortion rates worldwide. This review article will address the current options for EC, describe current challenges in the field, and highlight future avenues of research. Keywords: emergency contraception, levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate, Yuzpe regimen
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spelling doaj.art-c0452f5d4bef404e8f5b950fc727ff5c2022-12-21T17:48:20ZengDove Medical PressOpen Access Journal of Contraception1179-15272011-10-012011default107117Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directionsDovey SSanfilippo JSerena Dovey, Joseph Sanfilippo Magee Women’s Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, USA Abstract: The term emergency contraception (EC) refers to utilizing a medication or placing a copper intrauterine device within a short time interval after unprotected intercourse in order to prevent pregnancy. Established methods of EC include the Yuzpe regimen, levonorgestrel, and placement of a copper intrauterine device. Recently, ulipristal acetate, a selective progesterone receptor modulator, has been examined in several large-scale clinical trials and been shown to have comparable if not improved efficacy over the levonorgestrel regimen, which is the most commonly used form of EC today. EC has increased in efficacy since its advent with the Yuzpe regimen several decades ago, and many have expressed hope that widespread utilization of EC will lead to a decreased abortion rate worldwide. However, despite increased access to EC over the past several years, many barriers still exist in regards to allowing EC to be widely available to women wishing to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Future research must focus on addressing such barriers in order to realize the potential of EC to decrease abortion rates worldwide. This review article will address the current options for EC, describe current challenges in the field, and highlight future avenues of research. Keywords: emergency contraception, levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate, Yuzpe regimenhttp://www.dovepress.com/emergency-contraception-current-options-challenges-and-future-directio-a8435
spellingShingle Dovey S
Sanfilippo J
Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directions
Open Access Journal of Contraception
title Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directions
title_full Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directions
title_fullStr Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directions
title_full_unstemmed Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directions
title_short Emergency contraception: current options, challenges, and future directions
title_sort emergency contraception current options challenges and future directions
url http://www.dovepress.com/emergency-contraception-current-options-challenges-and-future-directio-a8435
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