A Comparative Study between Vaginal versus Oral Administration of Levonorgestrel as A Method of Emergency Contraception

Abstract

Background: Levonorgestrel-only Emergency Contraception (EC) prevents fertilization by inhibiting ovulation. Using Emergency  Contraception within five days of intercourse may prevent more than eighty-five percent of pregnancies.

Aim: This study aimed to  evaluate the effectiveness of levonorgestrel administered orally vs. vaginally as an emergency contraceptive.

Patients & methods: This  comparative, possible, randomized research has been conducted on one hundred women with regular cycles at Damanhur Medical  National Institute from September 2023 until February 2024. Women were split into two groups: First group included 50 women who took  1.5 mg of levonorgestrel orally (two Contraplan II tablets). Second group contained 50 women who received 1.5 mg of  levonorgestrel vaginally (two Contraplan II tablets).

Results: No statistically significant variances were found among the examined  groups regarding general characteristics, general assessments, anthropometrics, CBC, and profiling of coagulation. A statistically  significant variance had been demonstrated among the examined groups regarding the plasma levels of levonorgestrel, platelets, BT, CT,  PT, nausea, stomach discomfort, headaches, and vomiting. The vaginal group had a lower pregnancy rate.

Conclusion: We concluded  that levonorgestrel vaginal administration is more suitable, effective, and safer as an emergency contraceptive compared to oral  administration. So, we suggest using levonorgestrel vaginal administration as an EC rather than oral administration.