A broken condom. Missed pills. A sexual assault. These are just a few of the many situations that lead women to seek emergency contraception. When taken within five days of intercourse, emergency contraceptives can prevent most pregnancies. Emergency contraceptives are very safe, highly effective, and increasingly accessible around the world, to the relief of women everywhere.

New Medical and Service Delivery Guidelines on Emergency Contraceptive Pills

The International Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ICEC) recently issued revised Clinical Guidelines for Emergency Contraception. These new guidelines, which reflect the most up-to-date available evidence on emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), were widely reviewed and endorsed by many organizations, including the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). Local programs can adapt the guidelines to comply with national policy or regional service delivery guidelines. Among the topics covered in the guidelines are ECP regimens, mechanisms, efficacy, safety, contraindications, and drug interactions. The guidelines address repeated use of ECPs as well as the initiation or resumption of regular contraceptive methods after the use of ECPs.