A 28-year-old woman presents 68 hours after an unprotected intercourse requesting emergency contraception. The MOST effective option available in India is:

• A Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg single oral dose
• B Combined Yuzpe regimen (ethinyl oestradiol + levonorgestrel)
• C Ulipristal acetate 30 mg single oral dose
• D Copper IUD (Cu-T 380A) insertion within 120 hours of intercourse ✓

Explanation

Copper IUD insertion is the MOST effective emergency contraceptive — >99% efficacy — and can be used up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected intercourse. It works by preventing fertilisation (spermicidal effect of copper) and implantation. At 68 hours post-coitus, levonorgestrel EC is still within its 72-hour window but has declining efficacy (84% at 72 hours vs 95% at 24 hours). Ulipristal acetate (not widely available in India) works up to 120 hours. The Cu-IUD is additionally the only emergency contraception method that provides ongoing contraception.

Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.