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Emergency contraception: an overview
Danielle Mazza1,2,3,4,5, Joanne Gross1,2,3,4,5
1Department of General Practice, Monash University, Melbourne.
Australian Prescriber
|June 18, 2026
Summary
Emergency contraception, including pills like levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate, and the copper IUD, can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Timely use within 3-5 days is crucial for maximum effectiveness.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Emergency contraception (EC) is vital for preventing unintended pregnancies following contraceptive failure, non-use, or sexual assault.
- Available EC methods in Australia include oral pills (levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate) and the copper intrauterine device (IUD).
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the available methods of emergency contraception in Australia.
- To detail the accessibility and optimal timing for using each EC method.
Main Methods:
- Review of available emergency contraception options in Australia.
- Description of the pharmacological and mechanical EC methods.
- Specification of the time-sensitive application windows for each method.
Main Results:
- Oral EC (levonorgestrel, ulipristal acetate) is available over-the-counter at pharmacies.
- The copper IUD requires insertion by a qualified healthcare provider.
- Levonorgestrel is most effective within 72 hours, ulipristal acetate within 120 hours, and the copper IUD within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse.
Conclusions:
- Emergency contraception provides a critical option for pregnancy prevention in various scenarios.
- Understanding the specific methods, accessibility, and timeframes is essential for effective utilization of emergency contraception in Australia.
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