Emergency contraception: pregnancy test and STI screening

• Before taking it: pregnancy test if the period is late, or if there was another unprotected intercourse more than 21 days earlier without a normal period since.

STI screening, depending on risk (unprotected intercourse)

• Chlamydia trachomatis and gonococcus NAAT (PCR) (vaginal self-sample)if neededOffer STI screening, to the patient and if needed to the partner(s) ^[2]; assess the STI risk of every woman who requests emergency contraception and offer the appropriate tests ^[3]. Procedures and windows: see the page "STIs".
• HIV serologyif neededSame indication: inform about STI and HIV prevention and offer screening ^[2,3]. See the page "STIs".
• Syphilis serologyif neededSame indication: inform about STI and HIV prevention and offer screening ^[2,3]. See the page "STIs".
• Hepatitis B serologyif neededSame indication: inform about STI and HIV prevention and offer screening ^[2,3]. See the page "STIs".

If the period does not come 5 to 7 days after the expected date, abnormal bleeding or signs of pregnancy

• Pregnancy test: serum β-hCG (or urine test)
• If hormonal contraception was started straight away: pregnancy test 21 days after the last unprotected intercourse, even if there was bleeding.

Sampling

• Chlamydia trachomatis and gonococcus NAAT (PCR) (vaginal or endocervical sample): STI, current or recent upper genital tract infection, age < 25 years, multiple partnersif neededBefore insertion, assess and exclude an infectious risk; look for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae in particular in case of STI, current or recent upper genital tract infection, age < 25 years, multiple partners ^[2].
• Pregnancy test (serum β-hCG or urine test) if period lateif neededEmergency methods are used at any point in the cycle except when a period is late ^[2].