Guide

Emergency Contraception After Sexual Assault

Quick Answer

You have the right to access emergency contraception after sexual assault, with no questions about circumstances. EC is most effective when taken as soon as possible - up to 5 days after. You are in control of this decision. Support is available if you want it.

Your Rights and Options

You have complete control over your healthcare decisions:

- No one will question your circumstances
- You don't have to report anything to get EC
- Your privacy is protected
- You can access EC quickly and discreetly

Emergency contraception is one option available to you. Whether you take it is entirely your choice.

Your EC Options

Both options are effective and available to you:

Option	Time Window	Effectiveness
Postinor (Levonorgestrel)	Up to 72 hours (3 days)	Best within 24 hours
Mifestad (Ulipristal)	Up to 120 hours (5 days)	Maintains effectiveness longer

How to Get EC

You have several options:

Order through Ruth - Discreet delivery, no explanations required
Hospital emergency room - EC is part of standard care after sexual assault
Pharmacy - Postinor is available over-the-counter
Sexual assault crisis center - Often provide EC as part of support services

Additional Medical Care

While EC is available without medical exam, you may also want to consider:

- STI testing and preventive treatment - Available at hospitals and clinics
- Medical examination - Documents injuries if you might want to report later
- Follow-up care - For any physical or emotional concerns

These are all your choice. You can access EC alone or with other services.

Support Resources

You don't have to navigate this alone. Confidential support is available:

- Philippine Commission on Women Hotline: 1343
- GABRIELA Women's Crisis Hotline: (02) 8728-5906
- Philippine National Police Women's Desk - Available at all police stations
- Hospital social work departments - Can connect you with resources

These services are free and confidential.

Moving at Your Own Pace

There's no right or wrong way to handle this:

- You can take time to decide what you want to do
- You can access some services now and others later
- You can change your mind about any decision
- You don't owe anyone an explanation

The most time-sensitive decision is EC (effective up to 5 days). Everything else can wait until you're ready.

Get emergency contraception delivered discreetly. No questions asked.

Order EC

What this guide means in practice

Real situations are messier than the textbook examples in medication leaflets. A condom that broke, a missed pill day, a contraceptive injection that was scheduled too late, an IUD that came out — each is a valid reason to consider emergency contraception, and each comes with its own timing pressure and follow-up questions.

These situation guides are designed to start where you are. They acknowledge the specific event that caused you to look up EC in the first place and then walk through what to do next: how to estimate the time since the event, which product is most appropriate for that window, how to source it quickly in Metro Manila or the provinces, and what to track in the days that follow.

The goal is to keep one decision from spiraling into a stack of unfamiliar choices. Once you know which product fits your timing and your location, the rest of the process — ordering, receiving the medication, and confirming with a pregnancy test if needed — becomes much more straightforward.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. When ordering EC through Ruth or purchasing at a pharmacy, no one will ask about your circumstances. Your privacy is respected, and EC is provided without judgment or questions.

No. You do not need to file a police report or tell anyone what happened to access emergency contraception. The decision to report is separate and entirely up to you.

EC pills are not effective beyond 5 days. However, a copper IUD can be inserted as emergency contraception in some cases. Contact a healthcare provider to discuss your options.

Yes. Taking EC is a practical step to prevent pregnancy. It doesn't require you to have processed your feelings or made any other decisions. You can address other concerns at your own pace.

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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