Emergency contraception timing — DRCOG MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardContraceptionEmergency contraception timingDRCOG

A 28-year-old presents six days after UPSI. She has regular 28-day cycles and believes ovulation occurred four days ago. Which emergency-contraception option may remain within the guideline window?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: C — Copper IUD insertion within five days of estimated ovulation

The best answer is “Copper IUD insertion within five days of estimated ovulation”. A copper IUD can be inserted up to five days after the earliest estimated date of ovulation, so it may remain suitable even when more than 120 hours have passed since UPSI. Oral EC mainly works by delaying ovulation and is not effective after ovulation. Cycle calculation is imprecise, so the timing history must be assessed carefully. UK contraceptive decisions use UKMEC 2025, not US MEC, and require method-specific rather than class-wide reasoning. Oestrogen-related stroke and thrombosis risks may rule out CHC while leaving progestogen-only or intrauterine methods available. Emergency contraception and quick-start decisions additionally require precise timing and follow-up pregnancy testing.

Reference: CoSRH/FSRH, Emergency Contraception: https://www.cosrh.org/Common/Uploaded%20files/documents/fsrh-guideline-emergency-contraception03dec2020-amendedjuly2023-11jul.pdf