Morning after pill

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?