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    Morning after pill

    Hormonal emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after coitus in order to achieve the most effective prevention of pregnancy. The current protocol involves a high dose levonorgestrel, a second generation progestagen. Its action prevents ovulation and thereby the possibility of fertilization. When ovulation has already occurred, levonorgestrel inhibits the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterine wall. If the fertilized egg is already implanted in the uterus, the drug is not effective anymore.

     

    Levonorgestrel is used in a single dose of 1.5 mg. Adverse effects of pharmacological abortion are pain, and sometimes nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

    Another possibility, which can be performed until 5 days after coitus, is the insertion of an intra-uterine device in order to prevent implantation of the fertilized egg.

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    Within how many days of unprotected intercourse is levonorgestrel therapy effective?

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