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February 10, 2012

Contraceptive Measures After Unprotected Sex (cont.)

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Emergency intrauterine device (IUD)

Emergency IUD insertion can also be used to prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sex. If the copper IUD (Paragard) is inserted within 5 days after unprotected sex, it is 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. The copper IUD has the lowest failure rate of all emergency contraception options (less than 1%).

Like the high dose of oral hormonal contraceptive, an IUD blocks the implantation of the fertilized egg in the uterine wall. Emergency IUD insertion does slightly increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

An added advantage of emergency contraceptive use of an IUD compared to pills is that once the IUD is in place, it will provide the woman with a long-term contraceptive method if she chooses.

REFERENCE:

eMedicine.com. Contraception.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/258507-overview>

Previous contributing authors: Barbara K. Hecht, Ph.D. and Carolyn Janet Crandall, MD, FACP


Last Editorial Review: 1/3/2011



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