Can You Get Pregnant During Safe Period While on Hormonal Medications?

If you consistently take the contraceptive pill Yideximeiden and have intercourse during the safe period, is there a chance of getting pregnant?

Because my menstrual cycle has always been irregular, with long intervals and light flow, a year ago I went to the hospital for a blood test, and the doctor said I had insufficient hormones.
Therefore, I have been taking Estrogen (Estring) for 8 days starting on the 11th of each month and Medroxyprogesterone (Provera) for 10 days starting on the 21st of each month.
I have been following this regimen for almost a year, and now my menstrual period consistently starts on the 3rd or 4th of each month.
This month, my period started on the 3rd as well.
I had intercourse with my boyfriend on the 28th, and the condom suddenly broke, but he did not ejaculate.
I am unsure if this could lead to pregnancy.
(I understand that Medroxyprogesterone and Estrogen are not contraceptive pills; I just want to know if having intercourse during the safe period after taking these hormones makes it safer.)

K, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/05/30

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

I have had irregular periods for a long time, with long intervals between them and very light flow.
A year ago, when I went to the hospital for a blood test, the doctor told me that I had insufficient hormones.
Therefore, I have been taking 8 days of Estrogen (Estradiol) on the 11th of each month and 10 days of Progesterone (Medroxyprogesterone) on the 21st of each month.
I have been following this regimen for almost a year, and now my periods consistently start on the 3rd or 4th of the month.
This month, my period also started on the 3rd.
On the 28th, I had intercourse with my boyfriend, and the condom suddenly broke, but he did not ejaculate.
I am unsure if this could lead to pregnancy.
(I understand that Medroxyprogesterone and Estradiol are not contraceptives, but I just want to know if having a regular period after taking them means that having intercourse during the safe period is safer.)
Answer: Combining Medroxyprogesterone and Estradiol effectively acts as a contraceptive.
Since your periods are regular and you are on hormone therapy, having intercourse is relatively safe.

Reply Date: 2017/05/30

More Info

When considering the question of whether you can get pregnant during the "safe period" while on hormonal medications, it's essential to understand a few key concepts about menstrual cycles, hormonal treatments, and the nature of fertility.

Firstly, the term "safe period" generally refers to the days in a woman's menstrual cycle when she is least likely to conceive. This is typically calculated based on the ovulation cycle, which usually occurs about 14 days before the next expected period. However, this method of tracking fertility can be unreliable, especially for women with irregular cycles or those who are on hormonal medications.

In your case, you mentioned that you have been taking hormonal medications (Yasmin and Medroxyprogesterone) to regulate your menstrual cycle due to hormonal insufficiency. These medications can help stabilize your cycle and may reduce the likelihood of ovulation, but they do not provide a guarantee against pregnancy.
Even though you have been consistent with your medication and your cycle has become more regular, there are still factors to consider:
1. Ovulation Timing: Hormonal medications can alter the timing of ovulation. If your cycle is now more regular, ovulation may still occur, but it can be unpredictable. If you had unprotected intercourse on the 28th, it is possible that you could have been close to your ovulation window, depending on your cycle length.

2. Contraceptive Efficacy: While hormonal medications like Yasmin are primarily used for contraception, the effectiveness can vary based on adherence to the regimen. If you are taking your medications as prescribed, they should provide a level of protection against pregnancy. However, if there was any inconsistency in taking the pills, the risk of pregnancy increases.

3. Contraceptive Failure: Even with proper use, no contraceptive method is 100% effective. The fact that the condom broke adds another layer of risk. Although your partner did not ejaculate, pre-ejaculate fluid can contain sperm, which means there is still a possibility of pregnancy.

4. Hormonal Medications and Fertility: The medications you are taking are designed to regulate your hormones and menstrual cycle. While they can help manage your cycle, they do not act as a contraceptive unless specifically designed for that purpose. Therefore, relying solely on the "safe period" while on these medications can be risky.

In conclusion, while hormonal medications can help regulate your menstrual cycle and may reduce the likelihood of ovulation, they do not eliminate the risk of pregnancy, especially if there was a contraceptive failure like a broken condom. If you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, it may be wise to take a pregnancy test if your next period is late or consult with your healthcare provider for further advice. Additionally, if you are looking for more reliable contraception, discussing options with your healthcare provider could be beneficial.

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