Dr. Alka Pandey
Associate Prof. PMCH,
Deptt. of OBS & GYN, Patna
Emergency
Contraception
What is Emergency Contraception ??
• Emergency contraception (EC) - Contraception used as an
emergency step taken before menstruation is missed
• It prevents pregnancy following unprotected sexual
intercourse(UPSI) or expected failure of contraception
• It is popularly called as ‘Morning after pill’ or “Postcoital
oral contraceptive.”
https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/contraception/emergency-contraception
Unintended pregnancy
• Each year, approximately 85 million women (41 %) in the
world face an unintended pregnancy.
• More than one in seven of these cases occur in India
• 46 million unwanted pregnancies end in abortion each
year, 20 million of which are unsafe.
Singh V et al. Int J Adv Med. 2014 Aug;1(2):105-112
Demographics
• India’s population currently is
1.31 billion.
• Even though a wide variety of
contraceptive choices are
available in India,
contraceptive prevalence in
the country is only 56% as per
the WHO global health
statistics 2012
56
46
Contraceptive Prevalence In India
Population using
Contraceptives methods
Population not using any
method for Contraception
*WHO global health statistics 2012
Indian Scenario: data by Health Facilities Survey 2015
• 25·8 million pregnancies (54%)
resulted in births
• 33% of pregnancies ended in
induced abortions, and 14% of
pregnancies ended in a miscarriage
• The rate of unintended pregnancy
was estimated at 70 pregnancies per
1000 women aged 15–49 years
Distribution of pregnancies by outcome, India, 2015
National abortion incidence
Abortion rate by type and source in India, 2015
It is estimated that
15·6 million abortions
took place in India in
2015 ,
giving an abortion rate
of 47 per 1000 women
aged 15 –49 years
Singh A. Matern Child Health J.2013.
Response to the problem
• With the use of effective contraception, 90% of abortion-
related and 20% of pregnancy-related morbidity and
mortality can be prevented
• Emergency contraceptive Pills are largely underutilized in
India.
Munakampe, M.N, BMC Health Serv Res (2018)
Effectiveness OF Emergency CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS
In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
• When no contraceptive has been used.
• Sexual assault when the woman was not protected by an
effective contraceptive method.
• When there is concern of possible contraceptive failure,
from improper or incorrect use, such as :
Emergency contraception can be used in a number of situations
following sexual intercourse.
These include.
• Condom breakage, slippage, or incorrect use;
• 3 or more consecutively missed combined oral
contraceptive pills;
• More than 3 hours late from the usual time of intake of the
progestogen-only pill (minipill), or more than 27 hours
after the previous pill.
In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
• More than 12 hours late from the usual time of intake of the
desogestrel-containing pill (0.75mg) or more than 36hours
after the previous pill.
• More than 4 weeks late for the depot-medroxyprogesterone
acetate (DMPA) progestogen only injection.
In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
• Dislodgment, breakage, tearing, or early removal of a
diaphragm or cervical cap.
• Failed withdrawal , ejaculation in the vagina or on external
genitalia).
In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
• Failure of a spermicide tablet or film to melt before
intercourse.
• Miscalculation of the abstinence period, failure to abstain
or use a barrier method on the fertile days of the cycle
when using fertility awareness based methods .
• Expulsion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) or
hormonal contraceptive implant.
In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
Clinical Considerations
Recommendations as to which ECP to use depends on a
number of factors :
• Timing of presentation after unprotected sexual
intercourse.
• Patient factors (such as obesity, allergies, and
concurrent medications).
• Availability
Timing of unprotected sexual intercourse
• All methods are highly effective within 72 hours of
unprotected sexual intercourse.
• The Copper IUD and Ulipristal acetate are effective over
120 hours.
Patient factor - Weight
 While BMI 30 kg/m2 is not considered a contraindication
to ECPs
 Selection of a method may vary
• LNG is metabolized by the CYP3A4 microsomal system.
• Medications which induce the CYP3A4 eg. Antifungals
and Antiepileptic drugs may decrease levels of LNG
Patient factor - Concomitant medications
The story of Emergency Contraceptive Pills
1967
First used five-day
treatments with high-
dose estrogens, using
diethylstilbestrol
(DES)
2002
China was the first country
were mifepristone was
registered for use as EC
1998
WHO trial Yuzpe
regimen was
gradually withdrawn
and levonorgestel
widely used
1975
Copper IUD was
first studied for
use as EC
1975
Progestin only
postcoital pill was
investigated
1980
Yuzpe regimen
became the standard
treatment for EC
Rosato E, Farris M and Bastianelli C (2016) Mechanism of Action of
Ulipristal Acetate for Emergency Contraception: A Systematic Review
1974
Yuzpe regimen
(Combined
preparation
containing both
ethinyl estradiol &
levonorgestrel
Indian Scenario
• In India, ECP was introduced in 2002 by the Ministry of
Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and was made an
over the counter (OTC) drug in 2005
• Less than one-third women are aware of ECP and less than
one percent have ever used it
• Data from 8 states covered in the Annual Health Survey
shows a continued very low (less than 0.2 percent) use of
ECP
*Indian J Community Med. 2015 Jan-Mar; 40(1): 49–55
Yuzpe Method
• Oldest form of post-coital emergency contraception
• This method involves taking two pills each containing 50 µg of
ethinylestradiol and 0.50 mg of dl-norgestrel or 1 .5 mg levonorgestrel
within the first 72 hours .
• This treatment is repeated 12 hours later
• The Yuzpe method works by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, when
utilized during the first half of the menstrual cycle
• It is only effective if follicles are not already well developed
AUTHORS
NO OF
WOMEN
PREGNANCIES FAILURE RATE %
Yuzpe 1982 647 11 1.7
Van Santen1985 461 6 1.3
Wright 1986 184 6 3.3
Percival Smith 1987 774 18 2.3
Fasoli 1989* 3802 69 1.8
Zuliani 1990 407 9 2.2
Webb 1992 191 5 2.6
Glasier 1992 398 4 1
Ho 1993 341 9 2.6
Sanchez-Borrego 1996 117 1 0.9
Sanchez-Borrego 1996 423 3 0.7
Creinin 1997 2871 54 1.9
Trussell 1998* 2858 49 1.7
Von Hertzen 1998 979 31 3.2
Efficacy of Yuzpe regimen in clinical trials (Meta Analysis)
Efficacy of Yuzpe regimen
After a single act of unprotected sexual intercourse, the
Yuzpe regimen fails in about 2 of women who use it
correctly (1.9%, 95 CI 1.4–2.4 %)
Kubba AA. Eur. J Contracept. Reprod. Health Care 1997
Side effects with Yuzpe method
• The Yuzpe method has more pronounced side effects . 50% of
women develop nausea, and 20% develop vomiting (Yuzpe et al.,
1982; Percival - Smith and Abercrombie, 1987; Ho and Kwan,
1993)
• Antiemetic medications are recommended if the Yuzpe method is
used
• Changes in menstrual bleeding, mastalgia and increased risk of
venous thromboembolism are observed
Levonorgestrel (LNG)
• Levonorgestrel (LNG) is a progestin-only pill licensed in
many countries around the world
• Single dose oral tablet of LNG (1.5 mg) or two doses
(0.75 mg each – 12 hours apart) to be taken within 72
hours of unprotected intercourse
• LNG suppresses luteinizing hormone, which delays or
inhibits ovulation
• In order to be effective, it must be administered before
the LH surge begins. Thus it is reasonable to infer that
LNG is less effective when given closer to the time of
ovulation
Haeger et al. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine (2018) 3:20
• A randomized trial with 1998 women at 21 centers worldwide was
undertaken by WHO
• This trial found that the crude pregnancy rate was 1.1% in the LNG
group and 3.2% in the Yuzpe method group, yielding a relative risk of
0.36 (95% CI = 0.18–0.70)
• The estimated efficacy, when used within 72 hours of intercourse was
85% for LNG, compared with 57% in the Yuzpe method group
• The efficacy (based on estimates of conception probabilities) of LNG
decreased with time: from 95% at 24 hours to 58% when taken
between 49–72 hours
Efficacy of LNG
• Efficacy of 1.5 mg of LNG may decrease among patients
weighing more than 70 kg or with a BMI greater than 26
kg/m2, with a four-fold risk of pregnancy in obese women
compared to women with a normal BMI
• Such cases need doubling the dose to 3.0 mg, but effect is not
well documented
• A further advantage of the levonorgestrel-only is the absence
of ethinylestradiol which may cause VTE.
Side effects of Levonorgestrel
• The most common side effects with LNG are nausea (23%) and
vomiting (5.6%)
• Less common effects include fatigue, dizziness, headache, and
mastalgia
• Disruption in the menstrual cycle pattern may also occur
• When LNG is taken in the preovulatory stage of menses, the length
of the cycle may be abbreviated; in the peri- and postovulatory
phases, cycle length is unaffected, but the duration of bleeding is
elongated in the subsequent cycle
Copper IUD
• The most effective form of emergency contraception.It is
inserted within 5 day of UPSI without change in efficacy
• Has advantage of providing ongoing contraception for up to
10 years
• The main mechanism of action of copper IUDs is inhibition of
fertilization as the copper ions released from the device have
a toxic effect on sperm and ova, which affects their motility
and viability
• Where fertilization does occur, implantation is prevented
because of the inflammatory response in the endometrium
• Both PRE-FERTILISATION and POST-FERTILISATION action
Australian family physician. 2017 Oct;46(10):722.
Efficacy of Copper IUD in clinical trials
Authors No of women Pregnancies Failure rate % Comments
Lippes 1979 202 0 0 Cu7
Insertion < 7 days
Black 1980 176 1 0.57 CuT
Insertion < 10 days
Gottardi 1986 98 0 0 Insertion < 7 days
Fasoli 1989* 879 1 0.1 Insertion 1-10 days
• In a systematic review, 42 studies analyzed patients that had copper
IUDs inserted 2–10 days after unprotected intercourse
• From a total of 7,034 patients who had post-coital IUD insertions,
there were only 10 pregnancies, with a failure rate of only 0.14% (95%
CI = 0.08%–0.25%)
• Study concluded, IUDs are a highly effective method of contraception
after unprotected intercourse
Cleland K et al. Human reproduction. 2012
Side effects with the copper IUD
• The most common side effects with the copper IUD are pain
during insertion, and increased menstrual bleeding.
• Absolute contraindications to copper IUD placement are the same
as with routine insertion
Pregnancy,
Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding,
Malignancy of the genital tract
Congenital abnormalities of the uterus
Copper allergy
Limitations
• Despite the long-term contraceptive benefits of the copper
IUDs, this method remains underutilized
• The necessity of IUD placement by a trained health care
provider
• Lack of provider and patient knowledge regarding the IUD’s
effectiveness and use as a form of EC, contribute to the
relatively low use of the copper IUD as a form of EC
Ulipristal Acetate (UPA) 30 mg
Ulipristal acetate is a derivative of
19-norprogesterone
It is a selective progesterone-
receptor modulator (SPRM)
Drug Approval
Use of this SPRM – Ulipristal Acetate 30 mg for EC was authorized by :
2009
In Europe by
The European Medicines
(EMEA)
2010
In USA by
US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA)
2016
In Australia,
approved by the
Therapeutic Goods
Administration (TGA)
2020
In India,
approved by DCGI
Mechanism of Action
UPA
has an inhibitory effect on ovulation when
administered during the follicular phase
• One tablet should be taken orally as soon as possible, but no
later than 120 hours (5 days) after UPSI or contraceptive
failure
• If vomiting occurs within 3 hours of the tablet intake, another
tablet should be taken
• Pregnancy should be excluded before the tablet is
administered
Pharmacokinetics - Ulipristal Acetate 30 mg
• Metabolism occurs in the liver
• UPA is metabolized to mono-demethylated and di-
demethylated metabolites predominantly mediated by
CYP3A4
• The mono-demethylated metabolite is pharmacologically
active
• The active terminal half-life after 30 mg single dose is
estimated to be 32.4 ± 6.3 hours
• 90% of the excretion is with feces
Ferrero S. Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology. 2018
DRUG INTERACTIONS - Ulipristal Acetate 30 mg
• UPA’s efficacy may be reduced when it is taken concomitantly with
drugs like -Barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, griseofulvin,
and rifampin.
• In contrast , CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole and
ketaconazole may increase plasma concentrations of UPA
• Alterations in gastric pH may also reduce absorption and plasma
levels of ulipristal acetate
• Thus, concomitant use of acid-suppressive drugs, such as PPI, H2
Blocker, and antacids to be avoided
Hormonal contraception use after administration of
ulipristal acetate
Ulipristal acetate: an update for Australian GPs. Australian family physician. 2017 May;46(5):301.
Side Effects
• Headache
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Dysmenorrhea
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Delayed menses by 2.1 days
*https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/926833
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/926833
EMA (European Medicines Agency's ) states that
the single-dose ulipristal acetate 30 mg
emergency contraceptive does not have concerns of liver
injury*
https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/926833
Safety
• No teratogenic effects or birth defects have been associated
with UPA.
• There are no adverse outcomes associated with breastfeeding
after taking UPA.
• American guideline discourages mothers from giving breast
milk in the 24 h following consumption of UPA.
• European guidelines suggest a 7-day window before resuming
breast feeding following the ingestion of UPA
Haeger KO. Contracept Reprod Med. 2018
CONTRAINDICATIONS - Ulipristal Acetate 30 mg
• Hypersensitivity to UPA
• Severe liver disease, owing to its metabolism in liver
• Known or suspected pregnancy
Effects on Ovulation
With a follicle’s diameter of
14 –16mm
The lead follicle stops
growing and was
replaced by a new lead
follicle
With leading follicle’s diameter
≥18 mm
Follicular rupture is
delayed for at least 5-6
days, until sperm from the
UPSI for which EC was
taken are no longer viable
Brache et al., 2010
Aim : This study was designed to determine the capacity of
ulipristal acetate (UPA) 30mg, a selective progesterone
receptor modulator developed for EC, to block follicular
rupture when administered with a follicle of ≥18 mm.
A single dose of 30 mg UPA administered immediately
before ovulation (either before the LH surge or when the
LH surge has already begun) significantly delays or inhibits
subsequent follicular rupture in comparison to placebo-
treated cycles
Authors concluded…
Raw data from three pharmacokinetic studies with similar
methodology were pooled to allow direct comparison of UPA, LNG
and LNG + meloxicam's ability to prevent ovulation when
administered orally in the advanced follicular phase, with a
leading follicle of ≥18 mm
Three Pharmacodynamics Studies
Study 1:
LNG 1.5 mg Vs
Placebo
Study 2 :
LNG 1.5 mg Vs LNG
1.5 mg + Meloxicam
15 mg
Study 3 :
UPA 30 mg Vs
Placebo
Survival analysis of time to follicular rupture from treatment
intake to the fifth day after treatment
Dominant Follicle Persisting for at
least 5 days after Treatment (%)
1.UPA : 58.8 %
2.LNG : 14.6%
3.LNG + Melox : 38.7%
4.Placebo : 4%
The median time from treatment to
rupture was 6 days during the UPA
cycles versus 2 days in the LNG cycles
Brache V. Contraception. 2013
Efficacy Difference between Levonorgestrel and Ulipristal Acetate :
Proportion of unruptured dominant follicles at 5 days after treatment
according to LH status at time of intake
Brache V. Contraception. 2013
Ulipristal acetate prevents ovulation more effectively
than levonorgestrel
UPA
Contraception. 2013 Nov 1;88(5):611-8.
Physiological LH
Surge
UPA works on the most fertile
days, i.e. just before ovulation,
during the LH surge (pre-peak),
when levonorgestrel is no more
effective
Effects on the fallopian tube
• The fallopian tube plays an important role in human
conception
• Some studies have suggested that progesterone may
suppress ciliary beating frequency (CBF) and muscular
contraction in the fallopian tube
• UPA in contrast to this enhances CBF in Fallopian tube
• Alters tubal environment, there is minimal risk of ectopic
pregnancy .
Li et al., 2010
Ulipristal Acetate Taken 48–120 Hours After
Intercourse for Emergency Contraception
• Pregnancy rate of 2.1% (95% confidence interval 1.4 – 3.1%). 1,241
women were evaluated, 26 were pregnant
• ADRs were mild or moderate (headache, nausea, and abdominal pain)
• Cycle length increased a mean of 2.8 days, whereas the duration of
menstrual bleeding did not change
P Fine et al. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010
Ulipristal acetate is effective and well tolerated for
emergency contraception 48–120 hours after
unprotected intercourse
How Effective is Ulipristal Acetate (upa) compared to
Levonorgestrel (LNG)
55 with no
intervention
23 with LNG 9 with UPA
UPA is 2.5
times more
effective
than LNG
Glasier A et al. Lancet
2010
Pregnancy rates per 1000 women in the first 24 hours after unprotected sex
Levonorgestrel Ulipristal Acetate
Fig.1 Fig.2
Conclusion:
After a single dose of EC, obese-BMI women are exposed to
lower concentrations of LNG and similar concentrations of
UPA, when compared to normal-BMI women
Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH)
guidance 2017
• Ulipristal acetate has been demonstrated to be more effective
than levonorgestrel and should be considered as the first-line
oral emergency contraception option
• Ulipristal acetate remains an effective EC option regardless of a
woman’s weight or BMI
FSRH Guideline (March 2017)
Need of hour..
• The United Nations Population Fund, The World Health
Organization, and The International Federation of
Gynecology and Obstetrics, advocate for easy access to
emergency contraceptive pills.
• ECPs are safe.
• Patient preference, provider capability, and local availability
will influence which options are most preferable.
Conclusions on current therapies
• The available methods for emergency contraception in INDIA are: Yuzpe
regimen, high dose levonorgestrel, copper IUD, UPA.
• The treatment must begin within the first 72 h after unprotected
intercourse (for hormonal regimens)
• The Yuzpe regimen fails in about 2% of women who use it correctly.
Levonorgestrel is slightly, but not significantly more effective than the
Yuzpe regimen in preventing pregnancy
• The earlier emergency contraceptive treatment is started the more
effective it is
• Mifepristone in low dose (unavailable in India) and copper-releasing
IUD and UPA are highly effective.
Summary
• Ulipristal Acetate (UPA) is a selective progesterone-
receptor modulator (SPRM).
• UPA is the only EC to work up to the point of ovulation.
• It is 2.5 times more effective than levonorgestrel.
• FSRH recommends UPA as first-line oral emergency
contraceptive and effective regardless of a woman’s BMI.
Thank
you

Emergency contraception

  • 1.
    Dr. Alka Pandey AssociateProf. PMCH, Deptt. of OBS & GYN, Patna Emergency Contraception
  • 2.
    What is EmergencyContraception ?? • Emergency contraception (EC) - Contraception used as an emergency step taken before menstruation is missed • It prevents pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse(UPSI) or expected failure of contraception • It is popularly called as ‘Morning after pill’ or “Postcoital oral contraceptive.” https://www.acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/contraception/emergency-contraception
  • 3.
    Unintended pregnancy • Eachyear, approximately 85 million women (41 %) in the world face an unintended pregnancy. • More than one in seven of these cases occur in India • 46 million unwanted pregnancies end in abortion each year, 20 million of which are unsafe. Singh V et al. Int J Adv Med. 2014 Aug;1(2):105-112
  • 4.
    Demographics • India’s populationcurrently is 1.31 billion. • Even though a wide variety of contraceptive choices are available in India, contraceptive prevalence in the country is only 56% as per the WHO global health statistics 2012 56 46 Contraceptive Prevalence In India Population using Contraceptives methods Population not using any method for Contraception *WHO global health statistics 2012
  • 5.
    Indian Scenario: databy Health Facilities Survey 2015 • 25·8 million pregnancies (54%) resulted in births • 33% of pregnancies ended in induced abortions, and 14% of pregnancies ended in a miscarriage • The rate of unintended pregnancy was estimated at 70 pregnancies per 1000 women aged 15–49 years Distribution of pregnancies by outcome, India, 2015
  • 6.
    National abortion incidence Abortionrate by type and source in India, 2015 It is estimated that 15·6 million abortions took place in India in 2015 , giving an abortion rate of 47 per 1000 women aged 15 –49 years Singh A. Matern Child Health J.2013.
  • 7.
    Response to theproblem • With the use of effective contraception, 90% of abortion- related and 20% of pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality can be prevented • Emergency contraceptive Pills are largely underutilized in India. Munakampe, M.N, BMC Health Serv Res (2018)
  • 8.
    Effectiveness OF EmergencyCONTRACEPTIVE PILLS
  • 9.
    In what Situationscan emergency contraception be used • When no contraceptive has been used. • Sexual assault when the woman was not protected by an effective contraceptive method. • When there is concern of possible contraceptive failure, from improper or incorrect use, such as : Emergency contraception can be used in a number of situations following sexual intercourse. These include.
  • 10.
    • Condom breakage,slippage, or incorrect use; • 3 or more consecutively missed combined oral contraceptive pills; • More than 3 hours late from the usual time of intake of the progestogen-only pill (minipill), or more than 27 hours after the previous pill. In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
  • 11.
    • More than12 hours late from the usual time of intake of the desogestrel-containing pill (0.75mg) or more than 36hours after the previous pill. • More than 4 weeks late for the depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) progestogen only injection. In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
  • 12.
    • Dislodgment, breakage,tearing, or early removal of a diaphragm or cervical cap. • Failed withdrawal , ejaculation in the vagina or on external genitalia). In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
  • 13.
    • Failure ofa spermicide tablet or film to melt before intercourse. • Miscalculation of the abstinence period, failure to abstain or use a barrier method on the fertile days of the cycle when using fertility awareness based methods . • Expulsion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) or hormonal contraceptive implant. In what Situations can emergency contraception be used
  • 14.
    Clinical Considerations Recommendations asto which ECP to use depends on a number of factors : • Timing of presentation after unprotected sexual intercourse. • Patient factors (such as obesity, allergies, and concurrent medications). • Availability
  • 15.
    Timing of unprotectedsexual intercourse • All methods are highly effective within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. • The Copper IUD and Ulipristal acetate are effective over 120 hours.
  • 16.
    Patient factor -Weight  While BMI 30 kg/m2 is not considered a contraindication to ECPs  Selection of a method may vary
  • 17.
    • LNG ismetabolized by the CYP3A4 microsomal system. • Medications which induce the CYP3A4 eg. Antifungals and Antiepileptic drugs may decrease levels of LNG Patient factor - Concomitant medications
  • 18.
    The story ofEmergency Contraceptive Pills 1967 First used five-day treatments with high- dose estrogens, using diethylstilbestrol (DES) 2002 China was the first country were mifepristone was registered for use as EC 1998 WHO trial Yuzpe regimen was gradually withdrawn and levonorgestel widely used 1975 Copper IUD was first studied for use as EC 1975 Progestin only postcoital pill was investigated 1980 Yuzpe regimen became the standard treatment for EC Rosato E, Farris M and Bastianelli C (2016) Mechanism of Action of Ulipristal Acetate for Emergency Contraception: A Systematic Review 1974 Yuzpe regimen (Combined preparation containing both ethinyl estradiol & levonorgestrel
  • 19.
    Indian Scenario • InIndia, ECP was introduced in 2002 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and was made an over the counter (OTC) drug in 2005 • Less than one-third women are aware of ECP and less than one percent have ever used it • Data from 8 states covered in the Annual Health Survey shows a continued very low (less than 0.2 percent) use of ECP *Indian J Community Med. 2015 Jan-Mar; 40(1): 49–55
  • 20.
    Yuzpe Method • Oldestform of post-coital emergency contraception • This method involves taking two pills each containing 50 µg of ethinylestradiol and 0.50 mg of dl-norgestrel or 1 .5 mg levonorgestrel within the first 72 hours . • This treatment is repeated 12 hours later • The Yuzpe method works by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, when utilized during the first half of the menstrual cycle • It is only effective if follicles are not already well developed
  • 21.
    AUTHORS NO OF WOMEN PREGNANCIES FAILURERATE % Yuzpe 1982 647 11 1.7 Van Santen1985 461 6 1.3 Wright 1986 184 6 3.3 Percival Smith 1987 774 18 2.3 Fasoli 1989* 3802 69 1.8 Zuliani 1990 407 9 2.2 Webb 1992 191 5 2.6 Glasier 1992 398 4 1 Ho 1993 341 9 2.6 Sanchez-Borrego 1996 117 1 0.9 Sanchez-Borrego 1996 423 3 0.7 Creinin 1997 2871 54 1.9 Trussell 1998* 2858 49 1.7 Von Hertzen 1998 979 31 3.2 Efficacy of Yuzpe regimen in clinical trials (Meta Analysis)
  • 22.
    Efficacy of Yuzperegimen After a single act of unprotected sexual intercourse, the Yuzpe regimen fails in about 2 of women who use it correctly (1.9%, 95 CI 1.4–2.4 %) Kubba AA. Eur. J Contracept. Reprod. Health Care 1997
  • 23.
    Side effects withYuzpe method • The Yuzpe method has more pronounced side effects . 50% of women develop nausea, and 20% develop vomiting (Yuzpe et al., 1982; Percival - Smith and Abercrombie, 1987; Ho and Kwan, 1993) • Antiemetic medications are recommended if the Yuzpe method is used • Changes in menstrual bleeding, mastalgia and increased risk of venous thromboembolism are observed
  • 24.
    Levonorgestrel (LNG) • Levonorgestrel(LNG) is a progestin-only pill licensed in many countries around the world • Single dose oral tablet of LNG (1.5 mg) or two doses (0.75 mg each – 12 hours apart) to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse • LNG suppresses luteinizing hormone, which delays or inhibits ovulation • In order to be effective, it must be administered before the LH surge begins. Thus it is reasonable to infer that LNG is less effective when given closer to the time of ovulation Haeger et al. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine (2018) 3:20
  • 25.
    • A randomizedtrial with 1998 women at 21 centers worldwide was undertaken by WHO • This trial found that the crude pregnancy rate was 1.1% in the LNG group and 3.2% in the Yuzpe method group, yielding a relative risk of 0.36 (95% CI = 0.18–0.70) • The estimated efficacy, when used within 72 hours of intercourse was 85% for LNG, compared with 57% in the Yuzpe method group • The efficacy (based on estimates of conception probabilities) of LNG decreased with time: from 95% at 24 hours to 58% when taken between 49–72 hours
  • 26.
    Efficacy of LNG •Efficacy of 1.5 mg of LNG may decrease among patients weighing more than 70 kg or with a BMI greater than 26 kg/m2, with a four-fold risk of pregnancy in obese women compared to women with a normal BMI • Such cases need doubling the dose to 3.0 mg, but effect is not well documented • A further advantage of the levonorgestrel-only is the absence of ethinylestradiol which may cause VTE.
  • 27.
    Side effects ofLevonorgestrel • The most common side effects with LNG are nausea (23%) and vomiting (5.6%) • Less common effects include fatigue, dizziness, headache, and mastalgia • Disruption in the menstrual cycle pattern may also occur • When LNG is taken in the preovulatory stage of menses, the length of the cycle may be abbreviated; in the peri- and postovulatory phases, cycle length is unaffected, but the duration of bleeding is elongated in the subsequent cycle
  • 28.
    Copper IUD • Themost effective form of emergency contraception.It is inserted within 5 day of UPSI without change in efficacy • Has advantage of providing ongoing contraception for up to 10 years • The main mechanism of action of copper IUDs is inhibition of fertilization as the copper ions released from the device have a toxic effect on sperm and ova, which affects their motility and viability • Where fertilization does occur, implantation is prevented because of the inflammatory response in the endometrium • Both PRE-FERTILISATION and POST-FERTILISATION action Australian family physician. 2017 Oct;46(10):722.
  • 29.
    Efficacy of CopperIUD in clinical trials Authors No of women Pregnancies Failure rate % Comments Lippes 1979 202 0 0 Cu7 Insertion < 7 days Black 1980 176 1 0.57 CuT Insertion < 10 days Gottardi 1986 98 0 0 Insertion < 7 days Fasoli 1989* 879 1 0.1 Insertion 1-10 days
  • 30.
    • In asystematic review, 42 studies analyzed patients that had copper IUDs inserted 2–10 days after unprotected intercourse • From a total of 7,034 patients who had post-coital IUD insertions, there were only 10 pregnancies, with a failure rate of only 0.14% (95% CI = 0.08%–0.25%) • Study concluded, IUDs are a highly effective method of contraception after unprotected intercourse Cleland K et al. Human reproduction. 2012
  • 31.
    Side effects withthe copper IUD • The most common side effects with the copper IUD are pain during insertion, and increased menstrual bleeding. • Absolute contraindications to copper IUD placement are the same as with routine insertion Pregnancy, Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, Malignancy of the genital tract Congenital abnormalities of the uterus Copper allergy
  • 32.
    Limitations • Despite thelong-term contraceptive benefits of the copper IUDs, this method remains underutilized • The necessity of IUD placement by a trained health care provider • Lack of provider and patient knowledge regarding the IUD’s effectiveness and use as a form of EC, contribute to the relatively low use of the copper IUD as a form of EC
  • 33.
    Ulipristal Acetate (UPA)30 mg Ulipristal acetate is a derivative of 19-norprogesterone It is a selective progesterone- receptor modulator (SPRM)
  • 34.
    Drug Approval Use ofthis SPRM – Ulipristal Acetate 30 mg for EC was authorized by : 2009 In Europe by The European Medicines (EMEA) 2010 In USA by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 2016 In Australia, approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) 2020 In India, approved by DCGI
  • 35.
    Mechanism of Action UPA hasan inhibitory effect on ovulation when administered during the follicular phase
  • 36.
    • One tabletshould be taken orally as soon as possible, but no later than 120 hours (5 days) after UPSI or contraceptive failure • If vomiting occurs within 3 hours of the tablet intake, another tablet should be taken • Pregnancy should be excluded before the tablet is administered
  • 37.
    Pharmacokinetics - UlipristalAcetate 30 mg • Metabolism occurs in the liver • UPA is metabolized to mono-demethylated and di- demethylated metabolites predominantly mediated by CYP3A4 • The mono-demethylated metabolite is pharmacologically active • The active terminal half-life after 30 mg single dose is estimated to be 32.4 ± 6.3 hours • 90% of the excretion is with feces Ferrero S. Expert opinion on drug metabolism & toxicology. 2018
  • 38.
    DRUG INTERACTIONS -Ulipristal Acetate 30 mg • UPA’s efficacy may be reduced when it is taken concomitantly with drugs like -Barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, griseofulvin, and rifampin. • In contrast , CYP3A4 inhibitors such as itraconazole and ketaconazole may increase plasma concentrations of UPA • Alterations in gastric pH may also reduce absorption and plasma levels of ulipristal acetate • Thus, concomitant use of acid-suppressive drugs, such as PPI, H2 Blocker, and antacids to be avoided
  • 39.
    Hormonal contraception useafter administration of ulipristal acetate Ulipristal acetate: an update for Australian GPs. Australian family physician. 2017 May;46(5):301.
  • 40.
    Side Effects • Headache •Abdominal pain • Nausea • Dysmenorrhea • Fatigue • Dizziness • Delayed menses by 2.1 days *https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/926833
  • 41.
  • 42.
    EMA (European MedicinesAgency's ) states that the single-dose ulipristal acetate 30 mg emergency contraceptive does not have concerns of liver injury* https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/926833
  • 43.
    Safety • No teratogeniceffects or birth defects have been associated with UPA. • There are no adverse outcomes associated with breastfeeding after taking UPA. • American guideline discourages mothers from giving breast milk in the 24 h following consumption of UPA. • European guidelines suggest a 7-day window before resuming breast feeding following the ingestion of UPA Haeger KO. Contracept Reprod Med. 2018
  • 44.
    CONTRAINDICATIONS - UlipristalAcetate 30 mg • Hypersensitivity to UPA • Severe liver disease, owing to its metabolism in liver • Known or suspected pregnancy
  • 45.
    Effects on Ovulation Witha follicle’s diameter of 14 –16mm The lead follicle stops growing and was replaced by a new lead follicle With leading follicle’s diameter ≥18 mm Follicular rupture is delayed for at least 5-6 days, until sperm from the UPSI for which EC was taken are no longer viable Brache et al., 2010
  • 46.
    Aim : Thisstudy was designed to determine the capacity of ulipristal acetate (UPA) 30mg, a selective progesterone receptor modulator developed for EC, to block follicular rupture when administered with a follicle of ≥18 mm.
  • 47.
    A single doseof 30 mg UPA administered immediately before ovulation (either before the LH surge or when the LH surge has already begun) significantly delays or inhibits subsequent follicular rupture in comparison to placebo- treated cycles Authors concluded…
  • 48.
    Raw data fromthree pharmacokinetic studies with similar methodology were pooled to allow direct comparison of UPA, LNG and LNG + meloxicam's ability to prevent ovulation when administered orally in the advanced follicular phase, with a leading follicle of ≥18 mm
  • 49.
    Three Pharmacodynamics Studies Study1: LNG 1.5 mg Vs Placebo Study 2 : LNG 1.5 mg Vs LNG 1.5 mg + Meloxicam 15 mg Study 3 : UPA 30 mg Vs Placebo
  • 50.
    Survival analysis oftime to follicular rupture from treatment intake to the fifth day after treatment Dominant Follicle Persisting for at least 5 days after Treatment (%) 1.UPA : 58.8 % 2.LNG : 14.6% 3.LNG + Melox : 38.7% 4.Placebo : 4% The median time from treatment to rupture was 6 days during the UPA cycles versus 2 days in the LNG cycles Brache V. Contraception. 2013
  • 51.
    Efficacy Difference betweenLevonorgestrel and Ulipristal Acetate : Proportion of unruptured dominant follicles at 5 days after treatment according to LH status at time of intake Brache V. Contraception. 2013
  • 52.
    Ulipristal acetate preventsovulation more effectively than levonorgestrel UPA Contraception. 2013 Nov 1;88(5):611-8. Physiological LH Surge UPA works on the most fertile days, i.e. just before ovulation, during the LH surge (pre-peak), when levonorgestrel is no more effective
  • 53.
    Effects on thefallopian tube • The fallopian tube plays an important role in human conception • Some studies have suggested that progesterone may suppress ciliary beating frequency (CBF) and muscular contraction in the fallopian tube • UPA in contrast to this enhances CBF in Fallopian tube • Alters tubal environment, there is minimal risk of ectopic pregnancy . Li et al., 2010
  • 54.
    Ulipristal Acetate Taken48–120 Hours After Intercourse for Emergency Contraception • Pregnancy rate of 2.1% (95% confidence interval 1.4 – 3.1%). 1,241 women were evaluated, 26 were pregnant • ADRs were mild or moderate (headache, nausea, and abdominal pain) • Cycle length increased a mean of 2.8 days, whereas the duration of menstrual bleeding did not change P Fine et al. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010 Ulipristal acetate is effective and well tolerated for emergency contraception 48–120 hours after unprotected intercourse
  • 55.
    How Effective isUlipristal Acetate (upa) compared to Levonorgestrel (LNG) 55 with no intervention 23 with LNG 9 with UPA UPA is 2.5 times more effective than LNG Glasier A et al. Lancet 2010 Pregnancy rates per 1000 women in the first 24 hours after unprotected sex
  • 56.
  • 57.
    Conclusion: After a singledose of EC, obese-BMI women are exposed to lower concentrations of LNG and similar concentrations of UPA, when compared to normal-BMI women
  • 58.
    Faculty of Sexualand Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) guidance 2017 • Ulipristal acetate has been demonstrated to be more effective than levonorgestrel and should be considered as the first-line oral emergency contraception option • Ulipristal acetate remains an effective EC option regardless of a woman’s weight or BMI FSRH Guideline (March 2017)
  • 59.
    Need of hour.. •The United Nations Population Fund, The World Health Organization, and The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics, advocate for easy access to emergency contraceptive pills. • ECPs are safe. • Patient preference, provider capability, and local availability will influence which options are most preferable.
  • 60.
    Conclusions on currenttherapies • The available methods for emergency contraception in INDIA are: Yuzpe regimen, high dose levonorgestrel, copper IUD, UPA. • The treatment must begin within the first 72 h after unprotected intercourse (for hormonal regimens) • The Yuzpe regimen fails in about 2% of women who use it correctly. Levonorgestrel is slightly, but not significantly more effective than the Yuzpe regimen in preventing pregnancy • The earlier emergency contraceptive treatment is started the more effective it is • Mifepristone in low dose (unavailable in India) and copper-releasing IUD and UPA are highly effective.
  • 61.
    Summary • Ulipristal Acetate(UPA) is a selective progesterone- receptor modulator (SPRM). • UPA is the only EC to work up to the point of ovulation. • It is 2.5 times more effective than levonorgestrel. • FSRH recommends UPA as first-line oral emergency contraceptive and effective regardless of a woman’s BMI.
  • 62.

Editor's Notes

  • #5 Most couples in India do not want to use a contraceptive method on a long-term basis hence unwanted and unplanned pregnancies are commoM
  • #19 DES GOT WITHDRAWN IN 1975 DEU TO TERATOGENIC EFFECTS Effective and well tolerated method available without prescription in many countries. Discontinued due to the risk of venous thromboembolism and unpleasant side effects of EE. Albert Yuzpe 2 pil EE plus 2 pill LNG RU 486 Limited use due to moral and religious reasons as the drug induces pregnancy termination
  • #29 Unlike the pills described below, the mechanism of the copper IUD is somewhat different. Pre-fertilization effects are prominent. The copper composition can be toxic to both the ovum and the sperm. Additionally, the foreign body induces a chronic inflammatory response, leading to release of cytokines and integrins. These inflammatory markers cause both a spermicidal effect and inhibit implantation even if fertilization does occur.
  • #34 Ulipristal acetate is a selective progesterone receptor modulator.5 It is a partial agonist, exerting agonist and antagonist activity at the progesterone receptor. While it has been used in the medical management of uterine fibroids,6 it is more commonly used for emergency contraception. UPA is an orally active SPRM that binds with high affinity to the PR. It exerts agonistic/antagonistic effects on the PR (Figure 2). It also is a glucocorticoid receptor ligand, but with a lower antiglucocorticoid activity than mifepristone. It has no relevant affinity to the estrogen, androgen, and mineralocorticoid receptors
  • #35 Ulipristal acetate became available as an ECP in the European Union in 2009. This was followed by its release in the US in 2010. In March 2016, it became available in Australia as a Schedule 4 (prescription) item but, following approval by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA),7 from 1 February 2017 it has become a Schedule 3 (pharmacist only) item, available over the counter
  • #36 , the intake of UPA suppressed the increase in LH and the appearance of the peak. However, once LH levels had reached maximum values at the time of UPA administration, women ovulated normally.
  • #38 As UPA is intensely metabolized by hepatic CYPs, CYP inducers or inhibitors can modify its metabolism Ulipristal acetate is metabolized to mono-demethylated and di-demethylated metabolites. Metabolism occurs predominantly by the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 hepatic isoenzyme and, to a lesser extent, by CYP 1A2.6,10 Although the mono-demethylated metabolite is pharmacologically active, the di-demethylated metabolite has no clinical activity. The half-life of the drug in plasma, following a single dose of 30 mg, is approximately 32.4 ± 6.3 hours.6 In pharmacokinetic and population studies, ulipristal acetate has not shown any significant variations in women of different races; however, the drug is not recommended for breast-feeding or postmenopausal women.6
  • #39 The concomitant administration of medicinal products that tend to increase gastric pH may also decrease the drug’s efficacy
  • #40 Since both UPA and progestin-based contraceptives bind to progesterone receptors, patients are advised to wait for at least 5 days between the administration of UPA and starting/resuming a hormonal contraceptive Patients should also be advised to undertake a pregnancy test three weeks after commencement of the hormonal contraception It is recommended to use of barrier protection (e.g., a condom) until the patient’s next menstrual cycle It is not appropriate to insert a hormonal IUD if a woman has received ulipristal acetate in that cycle A bridging method should be offered until pregnancy can be excluded While repeated use of UPA within the same cycle is safe, it may not be suitable for use as an ongoing, regular method because users are likely to ovulate at some point and therefore be at risk for pregnancy
  • #42 long-term management (up to four treatment course, separated by a drug-free period until the start of the second menstruation following the end of the previous treatment course) of uterine leiomyomas
  • #46 UPA has an inhibitory effect on ovulation when administered during the follicular phase. In particular, during the mid-follicular phase, with follicles between 14 and 16 mm in diameter, a single dose between 10 and 100 mg produced a delay in follicular rupture and suppression of plasma levels of estradiol (Stratton et al. 2000). On the other hand, when women with follicles larger than 18 mm in diameter took the pill, a delay in follicular rupture occurred between 5 and 6 days in 59% of the cases (Brache et al. 2010)
  • #48 study demonstrates that UPA can significantly delay follicular rupture when given immediately before ovulation. This new generation EC compound could possibly prevent pregnancy when administered in the advanced follicular phase, even if LH levels have already begun to rise, a time when levonorgestrel EC is no longer effective in inhibiting ovulation.
  • #51 By the time the follicle reaches 18–20 mm (ovulation should occur within 48 h), ovulation is prevented by levonorgestrel in only 12% of cycles, whereas ulipristal acetate prevents ovulation in 60% of cycles, therefore potentially preventing pregnancy in substantially more women than  levonorgestrel.
  • #52 Ulipristal acetate delays ovulation by at least five days when given before the onset of the luteinising hormone (LH) surge in 100% of cycles; in comparison, levonorgestrel only achieves this in 25% of cycles.8 When administered once the LH surge has commenced, but before it peaks, ulipristal acetate delays ovulation in 79% of cycles, whereas levonorgestrel delays ovulation in only 14% of cycles.8 Once the LH surge has reached its peak, neither ulipristal acetate nor levonorgestral has any effect on ovulation.
  • #57 Observations: Fig. 1 illustrates the difference between groups in AUC0–48 of total LNG Fig. 2 illustrates the similarity between groups in mean AUC0–48 for UPA