Levonorgestrel emergency contraception use: contraceptive efficiency and influence on the characteristics of the menstrual cycle

Mazibrada I., Sedlecki K., Stankovic Z.

Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Family Planning Center, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia, Belgrade

Introduction: The prevention of the unwanted pregnancy is very important in the population of young people, having in mind possible physical and psychosocial consenquences of induced abortion that could endanger their reproductive health and future fertility. Emergency contraception (EC) is the power tool that could reduce the number of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies among youth. Unfortunately, several studies pointed out that EC use is associated with the menstrual cycle disturbances.

Objective: The aim of this study was to estimate the levonorgestrel EC contraceptive efficiency, as well as the influence of levonorgestrel EC on the timing of next menstrual period.

Design & Methods: The study group consisted of 100 sexually active young females who attended the Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Mother and Child Health Care Institute of Serbia in Belgrade because having one unprotected sexual intercourse. All of the investigated subjects were given two doses of 0,75 mg LNG within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. First dose was administred as soon as possible and another one after 12 hours. The follow-up visit was performed after first menstrual period, or after 4 weeks if menstrual period was absent. The pregnancy estimation, as well as the changes in the timing of menstrual bleeding were registered. Data were statistically analyzed by the means of descriptive statistics.

Results: The subjects were healthy, non-pregnant women aged 15-24, with regular menstrual cycle. After administration of levonorgestrel EC one pregnancy was registered, with the contraceptive efficiency rate of 99%. The timing of menstrual bleeding was unchanged in 80% of investigated women. A delay of menstrual bleeding following EC use occured in 19 (19%). There were no differences in the mean duration of menstrual bleeding before and after levonorgestrel EC treatment.

Conclusion: The risk of unwanted pregnancy is very prominent in the population of young women. Emergency contraception with levonorgestrel provides effective back-up contraceptive method without significant changes in the timing of menstrual bleeding after this treatment