Timing

Emergency Contraception Within 48 Hours (2 Days)

Quick Answer

Time is important but you still have good options. Levonorgestrel effectiveness is around 85%, while ulipristal acetate remains at 97%.

You Still Have Great Options

At 48 hours, emergency contraception is still very effective:

- Levonorgestrel (Postinor): ~85% effective
- Ulipristal acetate (Mifestad): ~97% effective

Both are good options, though Mifestad maintains higher effectiveness at this timing.

Effectiveness at 48 Hours

Here's how the options compare:

Time	Postinor	Mifestad
24 hours	95%	98%
48 hours	85%	97%
72 hours	58%	95%

Which Should You Choose?

At 48 hours, both options are still effective, but:

Choose Mifestad if:
- You want the highest effectiveness (97% vs 85%)
- You're not sure exactly when 48 hours will pass
- You're not currently on hormonal contraception

Choose Postinor if:
- Mifestad isn't available quickly
- You're on hormonal BC and want to continue without interruption
- Budget is a primary concern

Act Soon - Effectiveness Drops at 72 Hours

While you have time, be aware: - Postinor effectiveness drops from 85% to 58% between 48-72 hours - Mifestad stays strong (97% → 95%) - The sooner you take it, the better **Don't wait** until you're at the 72-hour mark if you can help it.

Getting EC Quickly

Metro Manila: Same-day delivery ensures you take EC while still at 48 hours

Provincial areas: Consider that delivery adds time - order now so you're still in the effective window when it arrives. Mifestad is the better choice for provincial delivery due to its longer effectiveness window.

Get emergency contraception now - you're still in an effective window.

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What 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

No, 48 hours is not too late. Postinor is still ~85% effective, and Mifestad is ~97% effective. Both are worthwhile options at this timing.

If you can get Mifestad quickly (within a few hours), it's worth the wait for higher effectiveness. If Mifestad will take significantly longer, take Postinor now - 85% effectiveness is still good.

The closer you are to 72 hours, the more important it is to choose Mifestad. At 72 hours, Postinor drops to 58% effectiveness while Mifestad remains at 95%.

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

Related Guides

Timing Guide

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