Brown Discharge After Emergency Contraceptive Use

Brown discharge after taking emergency contraception?

My last menstrual period started on June 1, with a cycle length of 28 to 31 days.
Recently, on June 23, in the afternoon, I had intimate contact with my boyfriend.
He touched his own genital area and had some discharge.
I asked him to wash his hands with mineral water and dry them before touching me (he only used his fingers and did not penetrate).
However, I am unsure if he had any contact with his own discharge.
After he ejaculated, he did not touch me again, but I calculated that day to be the 13th day of my menstrual cycle, so I became worried and bought the emergency contraceptive pill, Levonorgestrel, which I took within approximately 8 hours that evening.
The next day, I noticed a small amount of discharge similar to what I would expect during ovulation, but it was very minimal.
By the third day, it changed to a thicker, creamy white discharge.
On the evening of June 28, when I went to the bathroom, I noticed a small amount of brown discharge that resembled the end of a menstrual period.
I am very concerned that this might be implantation bleeding, and sometimes I experience mild cramping in my lower abdomen.
Is this normal? I see that others have their periods for many days.
Afterward, I used tissue to wipe my hands, but then I went to the bathroom and used different wet tissues to wipe my genital area, followed by a dry tissue to dry off.
Is there a possibility that sperm could enter through the wet tissue? Thank you, doctor, for reading this.

A, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2018/06/29

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, the bleeding you are experiencing cannot be definitively attributed to either the emergency contraceptive pill or other causes.
Although the likelihood of conception based on your description is low, it is not zero, as intercourse occurred during the ovulation period, and the effectiveness of emergency contraception is not 100%, with a failure rate of about 3%.
It is advisable to check for pregnancy if your period is more than a week late.
Thank you! Wishing you peace and health, Dr.
Chang.

Reply Date: 2018/06/29

More Info

Understanding the concerns surrounding brown discharge after using emergency contraceptives is essential for anyone who has recently engaged in sexual activity and is worried about potential pregnancy. In your case, you took the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), known as "Lillian," within eight hours after an encounter that raised concerns about possible sperm exposure. Let's break down the situation and address your questions.

Firstly, it's important to understand how emergency contraceptives work. ECPs are designed to prevent pregnancy primarily by delaying ovulation. If taken before ovulation, they can effectively inhibit the release of an egg from the ovary. However, if ovulation has already occurred, the effectiveness of the pill diminishes. The brown discharge you experienced could be attributed to several factors, including hormonal changes induced by the ECP.

The discharge you described, particularly the brown color, is often associated with old blood, which can occur when the uterine lining sheds. This can happen for various reasons, including the hormonal fluctuations caused by the emergency contraceptive. It's not uncommon for women to experience changes in their menstrual cycle after taking ECPs, including spotting or discharge that may be brown or pink in color. This is typically not a cause for concern and can be considered a normal side effect of the medication.

Regarding the white discharge you noted a few days later, this could be an indication of increased cervical mucus, which is common during the ovulation phase of your cycle. The consistency and color of cervical mucus can change throughout the menstrual cycle, and it may become thicker and more opaque around ovulation.

As for the concern about implantation bleeding, which can occur when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining, it usually presents as light spotting and is often pink or brown. However, given that you took the emergency contraceptive pill, the likelihood of implantation bleeding occurring is reduced, as the pill works to prevent ovulation and fertilization.

Now, regarding your question about whether sperm could have been transferred through wet toilet paper: while sperm can survive for a short time outside the body, the chances of sperm being viable enough to cause pregnancy after being transferred through wet tissue are extremely low. Sperm require a specific environment to survive, and exposure to air, moisture, and other factors significantly diminishes their viability.

In summary, the brown discharge and changes in your vaginal secretions after taking the emergency contraceptive pill are likely normal responses to the hormonal changes induced by the medication. If you continue to experience unusual symptoms, or if your period is significantly delayed, it would be wise to take a pregnancy test or consult with a healthcare provider for further evaluation. They can provide personalized advice based on your health history and current situation. Remember, it's always better to seek professional guidance when in doubt about reproductive health matters.

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