Is Pregnancy Likely After Taking Emergency Contraceptive Pills?

Q: Is Pregnancy Likely After Taking Emergency Contraceptive Pills?

Last Tuesday at 5：30 PM, I had intimate contact, but I did not insert my genitalia into her vagina; I only used my fingers. <br>Before inserting my fingers, she wiped my semen with a tissue, and one tissue got stuck to my glans. <br>I later removed the tissue but am unsure if any

The likelihood of becoming pregnant after taking emergency contraception is generally low, but it is not zero. Emergency contraceptive pills are most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. If taken within 72 hours, they can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89%. However, factors such as the timing of ovulation and individual health conditions can influence effectiveness. If you have concerns about

I had intimate relations with my girlfriend last Tuesday at 5:30 PM, but I did not insert my penis into her vagina; I only used my fingers.
Before inserting my fingers, she wiped my semen with a tissue, and one piece of tissue got stuck to my glans.
I later removed the tissue but was unsure if any residue remained.
Even if there was, it would have been minimal and mostly dried.
Afterward, I inserted my fingers into her vagina.
Concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, I took an emergency contraceptive pill the following morning at 8 AM.
After taking the pill, she experienced nausea and felt like vomiting but did not actually vomit.
She also felt a persistent heaviness in her uterus, with occasional cramping.
By Friday, she had significant stomach pain, so she took antacids after dinner at 9 PM.
However, by Saturday morning, she still felt heaviness in her uterus, with intermittent cramping, and began to experience frequent urination and drowsiness, although the pain was subsiding.
By Sunday, the heaviness in her uterus remained, with occasional cramping, but all other symptoms had resolved.
Since taking the medication, there has been no bleeding.
From Tuesday until now, we have had intimate relations two more times, both involving only my fingers, and I am certain there was no contact with semen during those instances.
I would like to know if the contraception was successful and what the likelihood of pregnancy is.
Are the side effects we experienced normal? Her last menstrual period was on November 15.
How long should we expect until her next period? Is it normal not to have any bleeding since taking the medication? Please help us with these questions!

Jacky, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2017/12/04

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Last Tuesday at 5:30 PM, I had intimate contact, but I did not insert my genitalia into her vagina; I only used my fingers.
Before inserting my fingers, she wiped my semen with a tissue, and one tissue got stuck to my glans.
I later removed the tissue but am unsure if any residue was left.
Even if there was, it would have been minimal and nearly dry.
Afterward, I inserted my fingers into her vagina.
Concerned about pregnancy, I took an emergency contraceptive pill the next morning at 8 AM.
After taking it, she felt nauseous and had the urge to vomit, but she never actually vomited.
She also felt a persistent heaviness in her uterus with occasional cramping.
By Friday, she experienced significant stomach pain, so she took stomach medication after dinner at 9 PM.
However, by Saturday morning, she still felt heaviness in her uterus with intermittent cramping, along with frequent urination and drowsiness.
The pain seemed to be subsiding.
By Sunday, only the heaviness in her uterus and occasional cramping remained, and all other symptoms had resolved.
Since taking the medication, there has been no bleeding.
From Tuesday until now, we have had intimate contact two more times, both involving only my fingers, and I am certain there was no contact with semen.
I would like to ask if the contraception was successful.
What is the likelihood of pregnancy? Are the side effects we experienced normal? Her last menstrual period was on November 15.
How long until her next period is expected? Is it normal not to have any bleeding since taking the medication?
Answer: 1.
Since there was no penetration of the vagina, only finger insertion, taking the emergency contraceptive pill was unnecessary.
2.
After taking the emergency contraceptive pill, the heaviness in the uterus and intermittent cramping may indicate a possible urinary tract infection, and it is advisable to consult a physician.

Reply Date: 2017/12/04

More Info

When it comes to the effectiveness of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) and the likelihood of pregnancy after their use, it's essential to understand how these medications work and the context of your situation.

Emergency contraceptive pills are designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. They work primarily by delaying ovulation, which means that if ovulation has already occurred, ECPs may not be effective. In your case, since you mentioned that there was no penetration and the contact with semen was minimal, the risk of pregnancy is significantly lower. However, it's important to note that sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for several days, so if ovulation were to occur shortly after your encounter, there could still be a risk.

You took the emergency contraceptive pill the day after your encounter, which is within the recommended time frame for maximum effectiveness. ECPs are most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, ideally within 72 hours, but some types can be taken up to 5 days later. The fact that your girlfriend experienced nausea after taking the pill is a common side effect and does not necessarily indicate pregnancy. Other side effects can include changes in menstrual cycle timing, breast tenderness, and abdominal pain.

Regarding your concerns about the absence of bleeding after taking the ECP, it is not uncommon for some women to experience a delay in their menstrual cycle following the use of emergency contraception. The hormonal changes induced by the pill can affect the timing of the next period. If your girlfriend's last menstrual period was on November 15, and she is now experiencing symptoms like abdominal discomfort and a feeling of fullness in the uterus, it could be due to the hormonal effects of the ECP rather than pregnancy.
If her period does not arrive within a week of the expected date, it would be advisable for her to take a pregnancy test to confirm whether or not she is pregnant. If the test is negative and her period still does not come, she should consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In summary, based on the information provided, the likelihood of pregnancy appears low due to the nature of the encounter and the timely use of emergency contraception. The side effects experienced are typical and can be attributed to the ECP. However, monitoring her menstrual cycle and taking a pregnancy test if her period is delayed will provide clarity. If there are any further concerns or unusual symptoms, seeking medical advice is always a prudent step.

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