Emergency Contraception Within 120 Hours (5 Days)
Quick Answer
Only ulipristal acetate (Mifestad) is effective at this point, with approximately 85% effectiveness. This is your last window for pill-based EC.
Your One Option: Mifestad
At this timing (72-120 hours), **only ulipristal acetate (Mifestad)** is effective: - Levonorgestrel (Postinor): **Not recommended** beyond 72 hours - Ulipristal acetate (Mifestad): **85% effective** at 120 hours Mifestad is your last window for pill-based emergency contraception.
Why Mifestad Works Longer
Mifestad (ulipristal acetate) works differently than Postinor:
1. Different mechanism: Mifestad can delay ovulation even when the LH surge has begun
2. Longer effectiveness: Maintains protection for up to 5 full days
3. Proven efficacy: Clinical trials show 85% effectiveness at 120 hours
This makes it the only pill option when 3+ days have passed.
Important Notes About Mifestad
Things to know before taking Mifestad:
Requires prescription (available through our telehealth service)
If you use hormonal contraception, use barrier methods until your next period
Take a pregnancy test if your period is more than 7 days late
Most side effects (headache, nausea) resolve within 24-48 hours
Alternative: Copper IUD
If you're past 120 hours or want the most effective option, a copper IUD can be inserted as emergency contraception:
- Effective up to 5 days after ovulation (potentially longer window than pills)
- 99%+ effective as emergency contraception
- Provides ongoing contraception for up to 10-12 years
- Requires a healthcare provider for insertion
Contact us if you'd like a referral to a provider who can insert a copper IUD.
Get Mifestad now - your last window for EC pills.
Order MifestadWhat this guide means in practice
Timing is the single biggest factor in emergency contraception effectiveness. Both available products work by delaying or preventing ovulation, which means the closer to (or after) ovulation you are, the less they can do. The hours that pass after unprotected sex matter as much as which product you take.
Within the first 24 hours, both Postinor and Mifestad are highly effective — typically 95% or higher. Between 24 and 72 hours, the picture starts to shift in favor of Mifestad, which maintains effectiveness more reliably than Postinor as the window lengthens. After 72 hours, only Mifestad remains an evidence-based option, with usefulness extending out to 120 hours.
The timing window is also the best lens for understanding why provincial delivery can change the recommendation. If your area is one to four days away by courier, ordering Mifestad gives you the buffer needed for the medication to still be within its effective range when it arrives. Ruth Health's effectiveness calculator can help estimate where you are in the window and which product is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. 85% effectiveness means that of 100 people who would have gotten pregnant, 85 won't. This is still substantial protection, especially compared to no EC at all.
EC pills are not effective beyond 120 hours. A copper IUD may still work (up to 5 days after ovulation). Consult a healthcare provider about your options.
Levonorgestrel's effectiveness drops significantly after 72 hours. Studies show it provides minimal protection beyond this point, which is why Mifestad is the recommended option.
How Ruth Health supports this decision
Ruth Health was built around the practical realities of emergency contraception in the Philippines. That means treating timing seriously, offering discreet same-day delivery in Metro Manila, and ensuring the right product is dispatched for the patient's situation — including provincial delivery windows where Mifestad's longer effectiveness window matters.
Every order goes through a brief, evidence-based intake. When a clinician should weigh in — for example, when a patient is breastfeeding, on enzyme-inducing medications, or unsure about the time elapsed — that review happens before dispatch. Packaging is unbranded, delivery is tracked, and follow-up support is available through chat for as long as it is helpful.
When the situation has urgent components — severe pain, heavy bleeding, possible sexual assault, or signs of serious health issues — the recommendation is always to seek immediate care at a hospital or clinic, with EC support continuing alongside that care rather than replacing it.
Medical Sources
- WHO Emergency Contraception Fact Sheet
- FDA labeling for levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate
- ACOG guidance on emergency contraception
- Peer-reviewed studies where noted in Ruth content
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