Ongoing contraception after use of emergency contraception from a specialist contraceptive service.

BACKGROUND

A consultation for emergency contraception (EC) gives way to an opportunity to provide women with an ongoing effective method of contraception.

STUDY

DESIGN

A review of the case notes of women seeking EC from a large family planning clinic in Edinburgh, Scotland, was conducted to determine what percentage of women were provided with an effective method of ongoing contraception.

RESULTS

Case notes of 460 women presenting for EC over a 2-year period were reviewed. Women were of mean age 26 years (range 15-49 years) and presented because they had used no contraception (47%), experienced condom failure (42%) or missed oral contraceptive pills (9%). Only 2% (n=11) were given an intrauterine device for EC. All women who had missed contraceptive pills prior to taking EC opted to continue this method. Only 23% (n=89) of women using no method or condoms at EC received supplies of an effective contraceptive method (pills, patch, injectable). Two thirds (n=263) of the women chose condoms for ongoing contraception.

CONCLUSION

Research is required to develop strategies to improve the uptake of effective contraception after EC.