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unprotected intercourse, followed by another dose 12 hours later. The most recent data available confirm that compliance with this regime reduces the risk of pregnancy by 75%.4 Despite the demonstrated efficacy of oral contraceptives as emergency contraception, several problems have prevented the widespread distribution and use of this method. First, health care providers lack detailed knowledge of emergency contraception; surveys have uncovered misconceptions about such crucial issues as which medications can be used, the timing of doses and the method’s mode of action.5 Second, potential consumers lack knowledge and awareness of this contraceptive method. For example, a national survey of 1,000 women aged 18–44 conducted in 1997 by the Kaiser Family Foundation indicated that while two-thirds of the sample had heard of emergency contraception or “the morning-after pill,” only 28% knew it was available in the United States, 13% knew the treatment could be initiated up to 72 hours after sex and only 1% had ever used it.6 The primary reasons, however, why emergency contraceptive pills are rarely S. Marie Harvey is codirector, Pacific Institute for Women’s Health, Los Angeles, CA, and is director of research, Center for the Study of Women in Society, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR. Linda J. Beckman is professor, California School of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles, and is an associate at the Pacific Institute for Women’s Health, Los Angeles. Christy Sherman is an associate, Pacific Institute for Women’s Health, and is assistant professor, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA. Diana Petitti is director, Department of Research and Evaluation, Kaiser Permanente Southern California, Pasadena, CA. The research on which this article was based was supported by grants from the Wallace Global Fund, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the John Merck Fund and an anonymous donor. The authors wish to thank Debbie Postlewaite, who served as implementation coordinator, and Kathie Heller, who assisted in data collection. Sincere appreciation is also extended to Joan Calandra, Marylin Calzadilla and Carla Schmidt for conducting the interviews. Finally, we thank the women who took the time to share their perceptions and experiences with us. Women’s Experience and Satisfaction with Emergency Contraception