A 30-year-old woman presents 4 days after unprotected intercourse requesting emergency contraception. She declines hormonal methods. Which option provides her the highest efficacy at this point?
- A Insertion of a copper intrauterine device ✓
- B Combined oral contraceptive pills in the Yuzpe regimen
- C Repeat barrier contraception and await next menses
- D Progestin-only pills started the next morning
Correct answer: A. Insertion of a copper intrauterine device
Explanation
The copper IUD inserted within 5 days (120 hours) of unprotected intercourse is the most effective emergency contraceptive available, with a failure rate below 0.1 percent, and it also prevents pregnancy from subsequent acts in the same cycle. It works even at 96 to 120 hours, whereas the Yuzpe regimen has lower efficacy and more side effects. Starting progestin-only pills later does not provide emergency cover.
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.