Is It Pregnancy? Symptoms and Concerns After Emergency Contraception

I would like to ask the doctor, am I pregnant?

Hello Doctor,
My girlfriend and I took emergency contraceptive pills (brand name: Postinor) on the afternoon of July 11, with a 6-hour interval between doses.
Additionally, my boss provided her with 4 similar supplement pills (2 taken with the first dose of the emergency contraceptive and 2 taken 12 hours later).
This was due to a condom breaking, and we are unsure if there was any ejaculation inside.
My girlfriend checked an app that indicates her safe period (her last period started on June 23, and she is expected to start again on July 21).

From July 21 to July 23, my girlfriend mentioned experiencing pre-menstrual symptoms: lower abdominal pain and breast tenderness (as symptoms of pre-menstruation and early pregnancy are almost identical, it is difficult to determine if she is pregnant).
On July 24, around 4 PM, she reported light bleeding, and by 9 PM, she mentioned another instance of bleeding (the color was bright red and brown).
On the morning of July 25, there was also a small amount of bleeding.

I would like to ask you, Doctor:
1.
Since her period is already 5 days late, is there a possibility that she is pregnant?
2.
What type of bleeding occurred on July 24?
3.
Could her anxiety be a reason for the delayed period?
4.
After taking the emergency contraceptive, how long might the period be delayed (with no bleeding during the medication period)?
Thank you very much for your assistance.

., 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2018/07/25

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

On July 11, my girlfriend took emergency contraception (brand name: Postinor) in the afternoon, with a 6-hour interval between doses.
Additionally, her boss provided her with 4 similar supplement pills (2 were taken with the emergency contraception for the first dose, and 2 more were taken 12 hours later).
This was due to a condom breaking during intercourse, and we were unsure if there was any ejaculation inside.
My girlfriend checked an app that indicated it was a safe period (her last period started on June 23, and she expected her next one around July 21).

From July 21 to July 23, my girlfriend reported experiencing premenstrual symptoms: lower abdominal pain and breast tenderness (as the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome and early pregnancy are very similar, it was difficult to determine if she was pregnant).
On July 24, around 4 PM, she mentioned having light bleeding, and by 9 PM, she reported another instance of bleeding (the color was bright red and brown).
There was also a small amount of bleeding in the morning of July 25.

I would like to ask the doctor:
1.
Since her period is already 5 days late, does this mean she could be pregnant?
Answer: Given that her last period started on June 23, and she took the emergency contraception on July 11, along with the light bleeding reported on July 24, it is unlikely that she is pregnant.

2.
What type of bleeding occurred on July 24?
Answer: This is likely her menstrual period.

3.
Could her anxiety be a reason for the delayed period?
Answer: No, there is no delay in her period.

4.
How long after taking emergency contraception can one expect a delay in menstruation (if there is no bleeding during the period)?
Answer: There is typically no delay in menstruation.

Reply Date: 2018/07/25

More Info

When it comes to understanding the potential for pregnancy after taking emergency contraception, it's important to consider a variety of factors, including the timing of the menstrual cycle, the effects of the emergency contraceptive pill, and the symptoms that may arise.

1. Is Pregnancy Possible?
Given that your girlfriend took emergency contraception (Plan B) shortly after a contraceptive failure (broken condom), the likelihood of pregnancy is reduced, but not eliminated. Emergency contraceptive pills are most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. They work primarily by delaying ovulation. If ovulation has already occurred, the effectiveness decreases. Since your girlfriend's last menstrual period started on June 23 and she was expected to menstruate again around July 21, the timing of the unprotected intercourse and the subsequent use of emergency contraception is critical. If she has missed her period by five days, it is advisable for her to take a home pregnancy test for confirmation.

2. Understanding the Bleeding on July 24:
The bleeding your girlfriend experienced on July 24 could be indicative of several things. It might be breakthrough bleeding, which can occur after taking emergency contraception due to hormonal fluctuations. Alternatively, it could be the onset of her menstrual period, especially since she was already overdue. The color and consistency of the blood (bright red or brown) can vary based on the cause, but it is not uncommon for women to experience changes in their menstrual cycle after taking emergency contraception.

3. Could Anxiety Affect the Menstrual Cycle?
Yes, stress and anxiety can significantly impact the menstrual cycle. The body’s response to stress can lead to hormonal changes that may delay menstruation or cause irregular bleeding. If your girlfriend is feeling particularly anxious about the possibility of being pregnant, this could contribute to her delayed period. It’s essential for her to manage stress levels during this time, as anxiety can exacerbate physical symptoms.

4. Effects of Emergency Contraception on the Menstrual Cycle:
After taking emergency contraception, it is common for the next period to be delayed or altered in flow and duration. Some women may experience their period earlier, while others may find it delayed by a week or more. If your girlfriend does not get her period within a week of the expected date, a pregnancy test is recommended.

In summary, while the emergency contraceptive pill significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy, it is not 100% effective. The symptoms your girlfriend is experiencing—abdominal pain and breast tenderness—are common premenstrual symptoms and can also occur in early pregnancy. The bleeding she observed could be a sign of her period or a side effect of the emergency contraception. It is advisable for her to take a pregnancy test if her period does not arrive soon, and if there are any concerns about her symptoms or emotional well-being, consulting with a healthcare provider would be beneficial.
Encouraging open communication and providing emotional support during this time can also help alleviate some of the anxiety associated with these uncertainties.

Similar Q&A

Understanding Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Symptoms and Concerns

If you took emergency contraception three hours after unprotected intercourse and then experienced abdominal pain, cold sweats, and bleeding about five hours later, it is possible that these symptoms are related to the medication rather than a sign of a fertilized egg that has no...

Dr. Yang Wangjun reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello: The most common side effect of emergency contraceptive pills is nausea, followed by lower abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, and vomiting. Additionally, symptoms such as breast tenderness and vaginal bleeding may occur. Therefore, your symptoms are likely caused by the e...

Understanding Pregnancy Concerns After Emergency Contraception

On September 24th, I had sexual intercourse and there was ejaculation inside. I took emergency contraception, but after going to the hospital for an ultrasound and a urine test, I was not pregnant. Why do I feel nauseous? My period hasn't arrived yet; is there still a chance...

Dr. Lin Manying reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello: Gastrointestinal symptoms cannot be definitively attributed to any specific cause, as both premenstrual syndrome and contraceptive pills can present with similar symptoms. Hualien Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare, cares about your health.

Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Pregnancy Symptoms or Side Effects?

Having intercourse on the day of ovulation while using a condom and taking emergency contraception within four hours may reduce the likelihood of pregnancy. However, if your period is two days late and you are experiencing early pregnancy symptoms such as frequent urination, diar...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, I apologize for not being able to provide a diagnosis based on what you've described. It is possible that you may be pregnant. If you continue to experience discomfort, I recommend seeing a gynecologist. Wishing you good health.

Understanding Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Side Effects and Pregnancy Testing Timing

I had sexual intercourse on February 27 (just a few days after my period ended) and took emergency contraception a few hours later. The next day, I experienced a rise in body temperature, headache, slight dizziness, and some nausea. I feel like my breasts have enlarged and soften...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the effectiveness of emergency contraception is not 100%, with a failure rate of about 3%. However, it is still considered a good backup method. It's important to note that pregnancy cannot be determined based solely on subjective symptoms. If your period is more than...