A 26-year-old woman presents 4 days after unprotected intercourse requesting the most effective available emergency contraception. She has no contraindications to any method. The best option is:
- A Insertion of a copper intrauterine device ✓
- B Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg orally now
- C Combined estrogen-progestogen regimen over 24 hours
- D Repeat barrier advice with no intervention
Correct answer: A. Insertion of a copper intrauterine device
Explanation
The copper IUD is the most effective emergency contraceptive, with a failure rate below 0.1 percent, and it can be inserted up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse, then left in place for ongoing contraception. At 96 hours it outperforms oral levonorgestrel, whose efficacy falls steeply with delay. The older Yuzpe combined regimen has higher failure and more vomiting than levonorgestrel.
Reference: WHO Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, 2018 update ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.