Emergency Contraceptive Pills: new issue of "Network"
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Greetings and apologies for any cross-postings!
Network Vol. 21, No. 1 is now on-line. This issue of Family Health
International's (FHI) quarterly scientific bulletin focuses on Emer-
gency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs).
Read the full text of Network 21-1 on FHI's Web site at:
English: http://www.fhi.org/en/fp/fppubs/network/ntgroupng.html
French: http://www.fhi.org/fr/networkf/ntgrpngf.html
Spanish: http://www.fhi.org/sp/networks/ntgrpngs.html
Here is a brief summary of the articles it contains:
Network: Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Vol. 21, No. 1, 2001
Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy after unprotected
intercourse, method failure, or incorrect method use. This issue of
Network includes an overview of emergency contraception: how it
works, when it should be used, proper dosage, effectiveness, safety,
and side effects. Other articles discuss efforts to improve emergency
contraception, why many women needing the method do not use it, and
ways to increase access. Also explored in the issue is the feasibil-
ity of HIV treatment shortly after being exposed to HIV (post-
exposure prophylaxis).
Introduction: Contraception after Intercourse
Emergency contraceptive pills can prevent pregnancy after unprotected
intercourse, method failure, or incorrect method use. When emergency
contraception should be used, effectiveness, safety, side effects,
and differences between pills are discussed in this overview article.
Other emergency contraceptive approaches and proper dosages for pills
are presented in the chart "Emergency Contraceptive Pills." Common
questions about the method are answered in "Typical Questions about
Emergency Contraceptive Pills." Research about the mechanism of ac-
tion of emergency contraceptive pills is described in "Mechanism of
Action."
Seeking Ways to Improve Emergency Contraception
Efforts to improve emergency contraceptive pills include making them
easier to use, reducing side effects, and investigating whether the
recommended time limit of 72 hours for starting use might be ex-
tended. An expanded time limit and a one-dose regimen are among op-
tions under study.
Revealing the "Secrets" of Emergency Contraception
Many women who need emergency contraception do not use it. Usually,
women simply do not know that it exists or, if they know, they do not
know where to get it or how or when to use it. Also, pills may not be
used because providers do not know much about them. "What Providers
Need to Know" is a short list of practices providers should follow
when offering emergency contraceptive pills to clients. Helping cli-
ents to start or resume regular contraception after emergency contra-
ceptive use is discussed in "Counselling about Regular Method
Needed."
Easy Access to Pills Helps Method Succeed
Keeping clients well informed is only part of a good strategy for im-
proving access to emergency contraceptive pills. Clients must also be
able to get the pills readily and at a reasonable cost, within three
days of unprotected intercourse. Several Web sites around the world
that offer emergency contraception information, including where to
obtain pills, are listed in "Internet Offers Information about Emer-
gency Contraception."
Personal Accounts
People from three countries share their personal experiences with
emergency contraception.
Is HIV Treatment Practical after Exposure?
In theory, a person exposed to HIV during sexual assault or other
sexual activity can reduce the risk of infection by taking antiretro-
viral drugs soon after exposure, a treatment known as post-exposure
prophylaxis. Whether treatment should be offered routinely for sexual
exposure, however, is questionable.
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More than 1,700 full-text materials in English, Spanish and French
are available on our Web site:
http://www.fhi.org
FHI seeks to improve lives worldwide through research, education and
services in family health.
David Hock
Senior Information Projects Coordinator
Family Health International
mail:dhock@fhi.org
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