Emergency contraception: Current trends, possibilities and limitations

INTRODUCTION: Emergency contraception has been used for over three decades. Indications for emergency contraception are intercourse without contraceptive protection or inadequate application of other contraceptive means. Also, this method is the only way out in situations when sexual intercourse has proceeded not only without protection, but also without voluntary agreement of both partners. CONTRACEPTION MEANS: Despite of their proven efficiency, it is thought that application of contraception means, even in countries with highly developed systems of health care, is far below optimal. Contemporary studies have pointed out some new posibilities and novel, modified methods of emergency contraception have been proposed. Basic methods of emergency contraception include use of hormonal preparations and postcoital insertion of intrauterine copper devices. Hormonal preparations that are used in emergency contraception are: combined hormonal contraceptive pills, levonorrgestrel and antiprogestin mifepristone. In 1998, the method with levonogestrel only, was indicated by World Health Organization as a "golden standard" in hormonal emergency contraception. The article gives a survey of new trends, possibilities and limitations of modern emergency contraception, with the aim of popularization of this form of contraception in our country.