Q.Emergency contraceptives are effective if used within:
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Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Emergency contraceptives must be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy effectively.
Emergency contraception represents a critical backup method when regular contraceptive measures fail or are not used. The timing of administration is everything, because these pills work by preventing or delaying ovulation, and occasionally by preventing fertilization or implantation — but only if taken before these events occur.
The 72-hour window starts from the moment of unprotected coitus (sexual intercourse). This is when sperm enters the female reproductive tract and begins its journey toward a potentially released egg. Sperm can survive in the female reproductive system for up to five days, waiting for ovulation, so the contraceptive needs to act quickly to disrupt the process before fertilization happens.
Why the reference point matters:
- Coitus is the event the woman can identify and control — she knows when unprotected intercourse occurred.
- Ovulation timing is unpredictable for most women and varies cycle to cycle; you cannot reliably know when it happens.
- Menstruation is irrelevant as a reference because emergency contraception is needed after a risk event, not tied to the menstrual calendar.
- Implantation occurs 6–12 days after fertilization — far too late, as the goal is to prevent pregnancy from being established in the first place. …
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