What is Post Coital Contraception?

Post-coital contraception is the employment of a contraceptive measure after intercourse, within 48 to 72 hours of an unprotected intercourse. It is more effective when used within 24 hours.

1 Hormonal - This involves taking high doses of an estrogen (Diethyl stilboesterol — 25-50 mg/day for live days or ethinyl estradiol 0.5-5mg/day for five days) and is associated with high incidence of nausea and vomiting.

Alternatively two tablets of a combination pill (Ethinyl Ostradiol 100 micro gm and 0.5 mg levonorgestrel taken initially, followed by two more tablets after precisely twelve hours, can be given. If this type of contraceptive fails there is risk of foetal malformation. 2, IUCD — A simpler method is to introduce an IUCD, ii acceptable, especially a copper containing device.