Emergency Contraception

Abstract

Unintended pregnancy is a major public health issue with around 53 million abortions being performed worldwide each year. An estimated 40% of all pregnancies are unplanned and 60% of these end in abortion. Rates of unplanned pregnancy and abortion remain high in the UK compared with other European countries and each year around 200 000 pregnancies in the UK end in termination. Use of emergency contraception (EC) has the potential to reduce rates of unwanted pregnancy. With around a third of all EC prescriptions issued in primary care, the GP and primary health care team have a major role in the provision of a sexual health and EC.