More than half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. While some of these pregnancies are due to birth control method failures, most are due to unanticipated exposure. Emergency contraception is a postcoital contraception that allows women the possibility of preventing pregnancy in such cases. Currently, there are two types of FDA-approved emergency contraception: the coppercontaining intrauterine device (IUD) and oral emergency contraceptive pills. The most effective method for emergency contraception is the IUD at 99.9%. However, the hormonal pills are far more widely used, at about 90% for women who are at risk for pregnancy, because they are more easily accessible, more affordable, convenient, free of adverse side-effects and do not require after-care. While the outcomes of emergency contraception are well-documented, their mechanism(s) of action remain a matter of discussion. Due to the gap in knowledge regarding emergency contraceptive pill efficacy, my study focuses on the mechanism of action of emergency contraceptive pills.

Read More

• Medicine