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When looking at evidence for changing practice in Family Planning there are very few randomised controlled trials that can be called upon. When one appears, it would be ideal if use can be made of the findings.
With emergency contraception there has been evidence for a while that the combined oral method is not as reliable as others.However we do not have a product licensed in the UK for a progesterone only method.This is available in other parts of the world.
So here we have very good evidence to change practice and enable a safer, more effective method to be used. But we must resort to using a levonorgestel containing pill administered in large quantities: namely 25 Miroval pills followed by the same 12 hours later.
If the progesterone method was introduced into the UK it could be issued safely by non medical personnel and would increase the use of this important method of controlling fertility. Until then we are restricted to using the combined Yuzpe method with side effects and comparatively reduced efficacy,if the woman does not want to swallow a large number of pills or have an intrauterine device fitted.
Making use of evidence and changing practice
When looking at evidence for changing practice in Family Planning there are very few randomised controlled trials that can be called upon. When one appears, it would be ideal if use can be made of the findings.
With emergency contraception there has been evidence for a while that the combined oral method is not as reliable as others.However we do not have a product licensed in the UK for a progesterone only method.This is available in other parts of the world.
So here we have very good evidence to change practice and enable a safer, more effective method to be used. But we must resort to using a levonorgestel containing pill administered in large quantities: namely 25 Miroval pills followed by the same 12 hours later.
If the progesterone method was introduced into the UK it could be issued safely by non medical personnel and would increase the use of this important method of controlling fertility. Until then we are restricted to using the combined Yuzpe method with side effects and comparatively reduced efficacy,if the woman does not want to swallow a large number of pills or have an intrauterine device fitted.
Competing interests: No competing interests