Abstract

What can be done to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse? Two distinct groups of women may need help: those, such as rape victims, who have had intercourse once, repetition being unlikely; and those who would like a method which can be used repeatedly after unpremeditated acts of intercourse. The second group is likely to be small. Oestrogens are well established as post-coital contraceptives, progestagens and oestrogen-progestagen combinations have been tried; copper-containing intra-uterine contraceptive devices are also used.