Emergency contraception
Statement on mechanism of action
International Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ICEC)
How do levonorgestrel-only emergency contraceptive pills (LNG ECPs) prevent pregnancy?
International Federation of Gynecology & Obstetrics (FIGO)
- Inhibit or delay an egg from being released from the ovary when taken before ovulation;
- Possibly prevent the sperm and the egg from meeting by affecting the cervical mucus or the ability of sperm to
bind to the egg.
Safety of levonorgestrel-alone emergency contraceptive pills
Emergency contraception can prevent most pregnancies when taken after intercourse. It provides an important back-up in cases of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive accident (such as forgotten pills or torn condoms), and is especially valuable after rape or coerced sex. This fact sheet refers to levonorgestrel-alone emergency contraception pills (LNG ECPs), which are available in most countries.
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See fact sheet
3 pages -
Emergency contraception: dispelling the myths and misperceptions
Editorial in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization Volume 88. No. 4, 1 page
Emergency contraception database
References regarding the use of emergency contraception were compiled from Medline. The references are in chronological order starting with the first paper published on the topic in 1968 up to the last publication retrieved at the indicated date of the last update.
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List of references on emergency contraception
pdf, 337kb
References to materials published from 1 January 2007 to 1 July 2009 - 200 pages -
2000-2006
pdf, 879kb
582 pages -
1968 to 1999
pdf, 457kb
330 pages