Emergency Contraception for Adolescents and Young Adults: Guidance for Health Care Professionals

Background

With improvements in the accessibility and range of contraceptive options available to female adolescents and young adult women, there have been dramatic declines in teen pregnancy, birth, and abortion rates in some parts of the world. However, many countries, especially developing countries, continue to struggle with high rates of unintended pregnancy. Although this has many causes, timely use of emergency contraception (EC) may be one tool that has the potential to prevent unintended pregnancies and abortions by decreasing the risk of pregnancy after unprotected or underprotected intercourse (referred herein as UPIC). The objective of this position paper is to provide updated information on EC, including new methods and limitations