The Pill: Abortifacient or Contraceptive? A Literature Review

Postfertilization Effect of Hormonal Emergency Contraception

“…To assume that all patients will not care about a postfertilization effect is not supported by the literature. 45,[47][48][49] The measure of efficacy is critical to an analysis of a possible postfertilization effect. For example, if hormonal EC use had a 0% efficacy rate, the question of a postfertilization effect would be irrelevant.…”

A Critique of the Pregnancy Method in the Aftercare of Rape Victims

“…There is overwhelming evidence that oral contraceptives can have post fertilization effects. 14 The evidence is indirect based on thinning of the endometrium, depletion of integrins and an increased ectopic pregnancy ratio. Thinning of the endometrium and reduction of available integrins have both been shown to be important in the success or failure of in vitro fertilizations.…”

Postfertilization Effects of Oral Contraceptives and Their Relationship to Informed Consent

“…3,4 For patients who believe that human life begins at fertilization (conception), a method of birth control that has the potential of interrupting development after fertilization (a postfertilization effect) may not be acceptable. 5,6 Postfertilization effects are operative for emergency (postcoital) contraception (when it is administered too late to prevent ovulation), 7,8 luteolytic agents (ie, RU-486), 9 and intrauterine devices, 5 and these methods therefore are unacceptable to some patients. Although postfertilization effects have been cited as a secondary mechanism of OCs, [10][11][12] the evidence for such effects has not been systematically reviewed.…”