Timing Guides

The single most important variable in emergency contraception is time. Both Postinor (levonorgestrel 1.5mg) and Mifestad (ulipristal acetate 30mg) work primarily by delaying or blocking ovulation. If ovulation has already happened, neither medication can reliably prevent pregnancy. That's why the hours since unprotected sex matter more than nearly any other factor in the recommendation.

In the first 24 hours, both products are highly effective (typically 95% or higher). Between 24 and 72 hours, Mifestad maintains its effectiveness more reliably than Postinor — staying in the high 90s while Postinor drops to roughly 58% by hour 72. After 72 hours, only Mifestad remains an evidence-based option, with effectiveness extending out to 120 hours (five days).

Acting early gives you the most flexibility. If you can take EC in the first 24 hours, either product will do the job — and the cheaper, over-the-counter Postinor option is usually a sensible choice. As more hours pass, Mifestad becomes the recommended option in most cases. The timing guides below break down what to do at 12, 24, 48, and 72-hour windows, with specific advice for access and follow-up at each step.

Timing also shapes the decision when you're outside Metro Manila. With one to four business days of courier transit available in many provinces, ordering a product with a longer effective window prevents the awkward situation of receiving medication that's no longer useful. The Ruth Health recommendation engine takes that delivery time into account automatically when matching you with a product.

The 72-hour mark is one of the most common cut-off points in EC information online, but it's important to know what actually happens at that boundary. After 72 hours, levonorgestrel-based products like Postinor are no longer recommended because their effectiveness has dropped below clinically useful levels. Ulipristal acetate (Mifestad), by contrast, keeps working — and is the only oral EC option supported by evidence between 72 and 120 hours.

Some people also choose a copper IUD as emergency contraception, which is the most effective option of all when fitted within five days of unprotected sex. The trade-off is that it requires a procedure with a healthcare provider rather than a pill, so it's not always practical on short notice. If a copper IUD is something you're interested in for ongoing contraception as well as EC, it's worth raising with a clinician through Ruth Health chat support or in person.

If more than 120 hours have passed and you're concerned about pregnancy risk, the right next step is usually a pregnancy test after your expected period and a conversation with a clinician about future contraception. Ruth Health support can help you sort out the timeline and find the right follow-up — including ongoing birth control options that fit your life.