When used correctly, emergency contraception (EC) is 75%
effective and is estimated to prevent 2 million unintended
pregnancies and 1 million abortions in the United States each
year.1,2 Also known as the morning-after pill, EC works to
prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse as a result of
contraceptive failures, such as a broken condom; lack of
contraception altogether; or sexual assault. With the potential
for a dramatic impact on unintended pregnancy rates, why is EC
not more prevalent? Despite the use of EC over several decades,
many women still are unaware of its indications, safety,
efficacy, and availability.3 Mechanisms of Action Although EC
officially debuted in 1974, the use of hormonal steroids as EC
has been researched since the 1960s. The 2 accepted regimens in
the United States today consist of 2 doses of high-dose hormonal
steroids administered orally at a 12-hour interval, with the
first dose given up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse
occurs.3 Several mechanisms have been pro