Emergency Contraception: Your Questions Answered - Obstetrics and Gynecology

More Info

---

When it comes to understanding emergency contraception, it's essential to clarify the types of contraceptive methods available and their effectiveness in various situations. In your case, it sounds like you and your girlfriend had an incident where there was a slight leakage of semen near the vaginal opening during a time when she was in her safe period. Given that she has been regular with her menstrual cycle and is seven days away from ovulation, the risk of pregnancy is relatively low. However, it's understandable to want to take precautions.


Types of Contraception
1. Regular Contraceptive Pills: These are taken daily to prevent ovulation. If your girlfriend has been taking these consistently, they are effective in preventing pregnancy.

2. Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs): These are designed to be taken after unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. There are two main types:
- Levonorgestrel (Plan B): This should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex and is most effective the sooner it is taken.

- Ulipristal Acetate (Ella): This can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex and is effective throughout that time frame.


Your Situation
Since you mentioned that you purchased "事前的避孕藥" (which translates to "pre-coital contraceptive pills"), it seems you might be referring to regular birth control pills. If your girlfriend is already on a regular contraceptive regimen and has been taking her pills correctly, the likelihood of pregnancy is significantly reduced, even with the incident you described.

However, if you are concerned about the effectiveness of her current method due to the incident, it might be prudent to consider taking an emergency contraceptive pill as a backup. This is especially true if there is any doubt about the effectiveness of her regular contraceptive method or if she missed any pills recently.


Recommendations
1. If She Is on Regular Birth Control: If she has been taking her regular contraceptive pills consistently and correctly, the risk of pregnancy is low, and additional emergency contraception may not be necessary. However, if there is any uncertainty about her pill-taking routine, taking an emergency contraceptive pill could provide peace of mind.

2. If She Is Not on Regular Birth Control: If she is not on any regular contraceptive method, it is advisable to take an emergency contraceptive pill as soon as possible to maximize its effectiveness.

3. Consult a Healthcare Provider: It’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice, especially if there are any concerns about contraceptive methods or potential side effects.


Conclusion
In summary, if your girlfriend has been consistent with her birth control pills, the risk of pregnancy from the incident you described is low. However, if there is any doubt, taking an emergency contraceptive pill can be a wise choice. Always prioritize open communication with your partner about contraception and consider consulting a healthcare professional for tailored advice.