September 1998

Emergency contraception: a cost-effective approach to preventing unintended pregnancy

Trussell J, Ellertson C, Stewart F, Koenig J, Raymond EG. Emergency contraception: a cost-effective approach to preventing unintended pregnancy. Women's Health in Primary Care. Fall 1998; 1(1):55-69.

Emergency contraception, which prevents pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse, has been used by only 1% of American women. Increased availability would greatly reduce the incidence of unintended pregnancy and the consequent need for abortion. Three types of emergency contraception are available in the United States. Regular combined oral contraceptive pills or minipills can be given in two increased doses spaced 12 hours apart, or the copper-T IUD can be inserted. A recent FDA notice declared that certain combined oral contraceptives are safe and effective for preventing  unintended pregnancies, thuse providing explicit official sanction for emergency contraception.