If widely used, emergency contraceptives could substantially reduce unintended pregnancy and the need for induced abortion. There are 2.7 million unintended pregnancies annually in the United States. Emergency contraceptives are methods used after intercourse, but before pregnancy to reduce the risk of pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive pills are by far the most commonly used and have been available since the 1970s. They are ordinary birth control pills that contain the hormones estrogen and progestin.
Treatment involves two doses of pills.
1997 National Survey of Americans on Emergency Contraception. 2 Kaiser Family Foundation. 1997 Survey of Health Care Providers on Emergency Contraception. 3 Kaiser Family Foundation. By Not Talking with Patients About the Option Ahead of Time.