Following unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI), emergency contraception (EC) is a reliable method of reducing the risk of an unwanted pregnancy. Some methods of EC may be unsuitable due to patient preference, contraindications, or the time taken for the patient to request EC after UPSI. Although EC is an effective method for occasional emergency use, it is not a substitute for effective regular contraception.

This Guidelines summary covers when EC is indicated, the effectiveness of various methods of EC, and how to decide what type of EC to recommend for a patient. The summary includes decision-making algorithms.