Emergency contraception

Emergency contraception or EC also known as Emergency Birth Control or EBC refers to any type of contraception that is taken after sexual intercourse without contraception, or otherwise where such contraception is believed to have failed (e.g. a condom was used, but it broke).

Related Topics:
Contraception - Sexual intercourse - Condom

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Forms of EC include:

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• Emergency contraceptive pill —referred to simply as "emergency contraception," "ECPs," or "ECs", or "morning-after pill" —are hormones that act both to prevent ovulation or fertilization, or the subsequent implantation of a fertilised egg (zygote). ECPs are not to be confused with chemical abortion drugs like Mifepristone (formerly RU-486) that act after implantation has occurred.
• Intrauterine devices (IUDs) - usually used as a primary contraception method, but sometimes used as emergency contraception.

As opposed to regular methods of contraception, ECPs are considered for use in rare cases only, for example in the event of contraceptive failure occurs. ECs, acting before implantation, are considered under USA and UK legislation to be forms of contraception. The opposing pro-life viewpoint - namely, that life begins at conception - leads some to conclude that interference with and prevention of an embryo's implantation consitutes an abortion.

Related Topics:
USA - UK - Contraception - Pro-life - Abortion

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Emergency contraception: ECPs ►