Study Aims to Broaden Available EC
Regimens
An international study, conducted by the Population Council and partner
clinics, aims to broaden the emergency contraception regimens currently
available. The study will answer several important questions:
- Can more brands of currently available birth control pills be used for
emergency contraception?
- Is the second dose necessary?
- Can emergency contraceptive pills be used beyond the 72 hour
period?
- Can more brands of currently available birth control pills be
used?
- Many brands of oral contraceptive pills are available in the United
States, but only some of them - tthose containing two specific hormones, the
estrogen ethinyl estradiol and the progestin levonorgestrel -?aare currently
offered for emergency contraception. Many more brands of pills contain a
different progestin, norethindrone, rather than levonorgestrel. Pills
containing norethindrone may be as effective as those containing
levonorgestrel, as long as the dosage level of the estrogen, ethinyl
estradiol, is the same. If so, a much wider choice of pills could be used
for emergency contraception.
-
- Is the second dose necessary?
- Emergency contraceptive pills are now given in two doses?a first
dose within 72 hours following unprotected intercourse, followed by a second
dose twelve hours later. The second dose may not be necessary. It also
causes side effects in many women. If one dose alone is just as effective,
it will make taking emergency contraceptive pills easier and cheaper, and
may reduce the side effects for many women.
-
- Can emergency contraceptive pills be used beyond the 72 hour
period?
- If the study finds that emergency contraceptive pills can still be
effective up to four or even five days after unprotected intercourse, many
women may find it easier to seek treatment. Extra time to initiate treatment
could be valuable for women who live far away from a service provider, whose
clinic is closed over the weekend, or who otherwise cannot obtain the pills
within a 72 hour period.
This study is taking place at two clinics in Great Britain and at
Planned
Parenthood of Greater Iowa. In Iowa, three Planned Parenthood clinics are
participating: Ames, Iowa City and the Central clinic in Des Moines. If you
are interested in participating in the study at the Iowa sites, please call
the following numbers for an appointment:
- Ames Center: (515) 292-1000
- Iowa City Center: (515) 354-8000
- Central Clinic, Des Moines: (515) 280-7000
Not all women are eligible for the study or would choose to participate,
but everyone who requests emergency contraception will receive it, whether
they participate in the study or not. The Planned Parenthood clinics also
offer testing and treatment of sexually transmitted infections,
contraceptive supplies and information, pregnancy testing and full pregnancy
options counseling, as well as emergency contraception.
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