Emergency Contraception
Unplanned pregnancy is a key health issue for Australian women. Key findings from research conducted by Marie Stopes International revealed that 51% of all women have experienced an unplanned pregnancy.
At the time of the unplanned pregnancy 80% of women did not seek emergency contraception.
A quality emergency contraception service aims to achieve several outcomes:
• Reduced rate of unplanned pregnancy and associated morbidity;
• Identification and management of issues related to unprotected intercourse eg; possible sexual assault;
• Reduction of incidence sexually transmitted infections (STIs) from current and future episodes of unprotected intercourse with preservation of future fertility;
• Patient counsel on current and ongoing contraceptive requirements.
Levonorgestrel Method
Levonorgestrel is the current preferred method of emergency contraception.
• 1x 750 mcg tablet and a repeat dose 12 hours later;
• In Australia, a single 1.5 mg dose is an approved method of prescription and may be considered if compliance or timing of the second dose is problematic;
• Emergency contraception should be initiated as soon as possible (≤ 72 hours) following unprotected intercourse;
• If vomiting occurs within 2 hours of dosing, a possible additional tablet may be administered.
Progesterone ECP’s are S3 and not reimbursed by the PBS. This is important when considering access for women with limited income and in some cases it may be necessary to consider other options.
Instructions to be given are:
• Take one metoclopramide tablet (10mg); then
• Half an hour later one dose of hormone;
• Repeat sequence 12 hours later;
• Take spare tablets if vomiting occurs within two hours of either dose.
Useful URLs:
Marie Stopes International www.mariestopes.org.au/
Royal Women’s Hospital Victoria. www.thewomens.org.au/