Although not specifically referred to as quick starting, previous Faculty guidance has advised that contraceptive methods can be started at any point in the menstrual cycle if a practitioner is reasonably certain that the woman is not currently pregnant (Box 1)8 or at risk of pregnancy. As sperm may be viable in the female reproductive tract for up to 7 days, health professionals should consider if a woman is at risk of becoming pregnant as a result of unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI) within the last 7 days. Although there are few days in the menstrual cycle when women are not potentially at risk of pregnancy,9 the.
