Emergency contraception (EC), or emergency postcoital contraception, are birth control measures that, if taken after sexual intercourse, may prevent pregnancy.
Forms of EC include:
- Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)—sometimes simply referred to as emergency contraceptives (ECs) or the "morning-after pill"—are drugs intended to disrupt ovulation or fertilization, which are steps necessary for pregnancy (contraceptives).
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs)—usually used as a primary contraceptive method, but sometimes used as emergency contraception.
Read more about Emergency Contraception: Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs), Intrauterine Device (IUD) For Emergency Contraception, Postcoital High-dose Progestin-only Oral Contraceptive Pills As Ongoing Contraception, History, Relationship To High Risk Sex and Abortion, EC and Sexual Assault, Mechanism of Action, United States Legal and Ethical Controversies
Famous quotes containing the word emergency:
“In this country, you never pull the emergency brake, even when there is an emergency. It is imperative that the trains run on schedule.”
—Friedrich Dürrenmatt (1921–1990)