Safety of emergency contraception.

Emergency contraception (EC) prevents pregnancy. Four regimens are available in different parts of the world, a combination of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel, levonorgestrel alone, mifepristone, and emergency insertion of an intrauterine device. All the regimens are also used either as long-term contraception or, in the case of mifepristone, as an abortifacient, and considerable data indicate their safety when used in these ways. Data on safety when the regimens are used as EC are lacking, but theoretically, and from practical experience, all appear to be extremely safe, particularly when compared to the risks of pregnancy. There has been a tendency to over-"medicalize" EC. Prescribing EC is simple. Consideration should be given to making EC available off prescription because it is so safe.