Question

Emergency contraceptives are effective if used within
(a) 72hours of coitus
(b) 72 hours of ovulation
(c) 72hours of menstruation
(d) 72 hours of implantation

Answer 1

Administration of emergency contraceptives like progesterone or progesterone-estrogen combination within three days after intercourse show very effective emergency contraceptive activity.

Complete answer:
Progesterone or progesterone-estrogen combinations or copper-bearing intrauterine devices should be administered within 72 hours of coitus that act as very effective emergency contraceptives as they could be used to avoid possible pregnancy due to rape or unprotected intercourse.

Additional Information: - prevention of fertilization of an egg by sperm at the beginning of pregnancy intentionally by natural or artificial methods is called contraception. The devices or medicines used to prevent contraception are called contraceptives.
- there are two types of contraceptive methods: natural methods and artificial methods. periodic abstinence, withdrawal or coitus interruptus, lactational amenorrhea method are natural methods. Artificial methods to prevent contraception are barrier methods, intrauterine devices, oral contraceptives, contraceptive injections, drug-releasing implants, vaginal rings, skin patches, and surgical methods.
- in the barrier method sperms are prevented from ovum physically by using barriers like condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, vaults, spermicidal creams, jellies, and foams.
- intrauterine devices are of two types, non-medicated and medicated. In medicated Intrauterine devices and oral contraceptive pills, injections, drug-releasing implants they use female reproductive hormones progesterone or estrogens and their combinations.
So, the correct answer is ‘72 hours after coitus’.

Note: -Examples of medicated IUDs are CuT, Cu7, multi-load 375, progestasert, LNG-20, and oral contraceptive pills include small doses of progesterone and progesterone-estrogen combinations.
-Saheli is an oral contraceptive pill developed by CDRI Lucknow, it is called one a week pill developed with fewer side effects and high contraceptive value.