Which statement is NOT true regarding postcoital contraception?

The accurate understanding of postcoital contraception involves recognizing the various forms and mechanisms by which they operate. The statement regarding combination medications being commonly used as emergency contraception is not true, primarily because the most widely utilized emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) primarily contain either levonorgestrel (a progestin) or ulipristal acetate (a selective progesterone receptor modulator).

While some earlier formulations did include estrogen in combination with progestin, modern guidelines and available medications favor the use of single-agent progestin pills due to their improved safety profile and efficacy, especially in reducing the risk of pregnancy post-intercourse.

Emergency contraception must be taken within a specific timeframe—usually within 72 to 120 hours post-intercourse—depending on the type of medication used. This time limit is crucial for the effectiveness of the contraceptive method.

Understanding the use of progestin alone, the limited role of combination hormonal contraception in the postcoital context, and the time constraints help clarify the nature of emergency contraception and its accepted practices in health care.