back to Australia directory
australia clinical guidance

Emergency contraception (EC)

A detailed Australian summary of emergency contraception (ec), with source-attributed priorities, a practical workflow, safety escalation and state or territory implementation boundaries.

JurisdictionAustralia
Source check2026-08-20
Clinical reviewiatroX editorial team 路 Clinical editorial review 路 reviewed 2026-08-20 路 due 2027-08-20
AudienceHealthcare professionals practising in Australia
This is an iatroX educational summary of named Australia sources, not an official guideline. It does not replace the complete source documents, local policy, specialist advice or clinical judgement. Apply current TGA product information, PBS restrictions, state or territory law, local referral criteria, formulary and antimicrobial policy. A national recommendation does not create uniform service access.

Scope

Establish timing of each unprotected exposure, cycle and ovulation context, pregnancy possibility, body weight, medicines and future contraception preferences. Offer the copper intrauterine device when eligible because it is the most effective emergency method and provides ongoing contraception. This summary is limited to the population, decisions and escalation boundaries stated in the named source.
sources for this section:RANZCOG contraception

The Bottom Line

  • Establish timing of each unprotected exposure, cycle and ovulation context, pregnancy possibility, body weight, medicines and future contraception preferences.
  • Offer the copper intrauterine device when eligible because it is the most effective emergency method and provides ongoing contraception.
  • Copper-IUD eligibility extends beyond the oral-product window when insertion is within the Australian ovulation-based criterion.
  • Choose an oral emergency contraceptive using the Australian handbook, considering timing, enzyme-inducing medicines, weight evidence and interaction with progestogen.
sources for this section:RANZCOG contraception

Practical clinical workflow

1

Topic-specific assessment action

Establish timing of each unprotected exposure, cycle and ovulation context, pregnancy possibility, body weight, medicines and future contraception preferences.
2

Topic-specific diagnostic action

Choose an oral emergency contraceptive using the Australian handbook, considering timing, enzyme-inducing medicines, weight evidence and interaction with progestogen.
3

Topic-specific management action

Explain vomiting action, when to start ongoing contraception, barrier use, pregnancy testing and STI assessment or safeguarding where relevant.
4

Topic-specific follow-through

Ulipristal and progestogen can reduce each other鈥檚 effect, so the interval before starting hormonal contraception must be explained exactly.
sources for this section:RANZCOG contraception

Safety boundaries and escalation

  • Emergency contraception does not disrupt an established pregnancy; severe pain, syncope or abnormal bleeding after exposure requires ectopic-pregnancy assessment.
  • Enzyme-inducing medicines can reduce oral method efficacy and strengthen the recommendation for a copper IUD.
sources for this section:RANZCOG contraception

Implementation

The named source is national or binational guidance used in Australia, but referral access, public-health directions, formularies and funded services can still differ by state, territory and health service. Check current TGA product information for medicines. Offer culturally safe care and use the NACCHO鈥揜ACGP National Guide where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preventive or chronic-care recommendations differ.
sources for this section:RANZCOG contraception

Clinical use boundary

This independently written summary is not an official guideline. Check the linked source version, current TGA-approved product information where medicines are involved, and the applicable state, territory and local pathway at the point of care.

sources for this section:RANZCOG contraception

Source documents

Use the linked source documents for complete recommendations, evidence grading, exclusions and implementation detail.

  1. Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and GynaecologistsContraception (C-Gyn 3)C-Gyn 3 路 Version 7.2, September 2024; review due March 2029 路 accessed 2026-08-20
    view source
continue the learning

From guidance to deliberate practice and evidence

Choose what happens next. iatroX can carry this page's jurisdiction, source-check date and released version into an editable learning record, support your reflection, or let you browse the regional question bank while keeping this topic visible. No action records completion, starts a session or awards CPD/CME credit automatically.

Add this guidance review to CPD/CMEOpen an editable learning-log record with this page鈥檚 provenance attached. You confirm the activity, time, reflection and mappings.Reflect on this with TutorUse optional prompts to consider what you learned and what鈥攊f anything鈥攜ou may change. Suggestions are never inserted automatically.Browse the Australia question bankKeep this guidance topic in view, then choose your exam and filters. No session starts automatically.
Found a source update or regional discrepancy? Tell the iatroX editorial team.