Who needs emergency contraception?
Any woman of reproductive age may need emergency contraception at some point to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. It is meant to be used in situations such as: • when no contraceptive has been used; • when there is a contraceptive failure or incorrect use, including: • condom breakage, slippage, or incorrect use • three or more consecutive missed combined oral contraceptive pills • progestogen-only pill (minipill) taken more than three hours late • more than two weeks late for a progestogen-only contraceptive injection (depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate or norethisterone enanthate) • more than seven days late for a combined estrogen-plus-progestogen monthly injection • dislodgment, delay in placing, or early removal of a contraceptive hormonal skin patch or ring dislodgment, breakage, tearing, or early removal of a diaphragm or cervical cap • failed coitus interruptus (e.g., ejaculation in vagina or on external genitalia) • failure of a spermicide tablet or film to melt before intercourse •
