Title: Emergency contraception.

POPLINE Document Number: 281828

Author(s):

Puri CP

Source citation:

ICMR Bulletin, 1997 Mar;27(3):19-30.

Abstract:

A woman would prefer to prevent an unwanted pregnancy rather than having an abortion or carrying the pregnancy to term. No amount of legal or religious restrictions, social stigma or lack of access to professional care can stop her if she decides to seek termination of an unplanned pregnancy. Society and the health care providers should help in preventing abortions. A late abortion is particularly distressing for both the woman and the professionals involved in her care. In spite of this, it is surprising that an estimated 40-60 million women seek termination of pregnancy every year. Unfortunately, a large percentage of the induced abortions, particularly in developing countries, are performed by unqualified persons under unsafe conditions. As a result, the woman faces a risk of death perhaps 100-500 times greater than the woman who has access to a skilled operator working in aseptic conditions. In fact, unsafe abortion is one of the greatest neglected problems of health care in developing countries and a serious concern to women during their reproductive lives. At least 70.000 of the approximately 580,000 maternal deaths that occur annually are a consequence of complications of unsafe abortion procedures. The available methods of fertility regulation are quite safe and effective, and their use can help couples to decide when and how often to allow pregnancy to occur. In addition to the regular methods of contraception, there are contraceptives available, commonly referred to as emergency contraception, which can be used postcoitally and provide a back-up in individuals at risk of unplanned pregnancy. Indications for emergency contraception include unprotected intercourse, failure of barrier method, missed oral contraceptive pills, and sexual assault. Emergency contraception has therefore rightly been referred to as "the Casualty Department of Family Planning" as it offers a last chance, secondary method of contraception to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. (excerpt)

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Pregnant Women
Abortion
Pregnancy, Unplanned
Emergency Contraception
Risk Factors
Safety
Maternal Mortality
Side Effects
Drugs
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Fertility Control, Postconception
Family Planning
Reproductive Behavior
Fertility
Population Dynamics
Contraception
Biology
Public Health
Health
Mortality
Treatment