When should emergency contraception be considered?

Emergency contraception should be considered when two or more oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) are missed and unprotected sex has occurred within the last seven days, as this significantly increases the risk of unintended pregnancy.

In this scenario, missing multiple pills can lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the contraceptive method. The hormonal balance needed to prevent ovulation can be disrupted, especially if unprotected intercourse takes place during this period. The guidelines suggest that if two or more pills are missed in the first week of the pack, or if unprotected sex occurs while the hormonal levels are inadequate, emergency contraception options should be discussed with the patient to reduce the risk of pregnancy.

In contrast to this, missing just one pill or missing pills without recent unprotected sex does not typically qualify for emergency contraception since the likelihood of ovulation and subsequent fertilization is lower. Thus, the timing and frequency of missed doses play a crucial role in determining the need for emergency contraception.