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What is emergency contraception?
Pregnancy hormones found in contraceptive pills seem to stimulate melanocytes (melanin-producing skin cells) to produce more pigment, especially in those genetically prone and in areas exposed to the sun. PHOTO | POOL
What are the types of emergency contraception available in Uganda? I have also heard of a coil being used as emergency contraception? Does it work? Deg
Dear Deg,
Emergency contraception is a method of preventing an unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse.
In Uganda, women may wash the vagina thoroughly or take the brown contraceptive pills in the vain attempt to prevent pregnancy. However, women are advised to use conventional methods of emergency contraception which include the commonly used levonorgestrel (morning after pill) and the copper T intra uterine contraceptive device, which requires a trained medical worker to insert properly.
Levonorgestrel emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy by temporarily blocking ovulation, stopping fertilisation, or by keeping a fertilised egg from becoming implanted in the uterus, hence being effective taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex.
Copper IUDs work by releasing copper into the uterus and fallopian tubes, which kills sperms and eggs, hence preventing pregnancy up to five days after sexual intercourse. So, apart from being more effective than the morning after pill, it can be used as a regular contraceptive for up to 10 years.
