Pregnancy Risks and Discharge Issues After Ovulation

Pregnancy probability and discharge issues?

Hello, doctor.
On August 19th (which was exactly during my ovulation period), my boyfriend masturbated and ejaculated.
His hand came into contact with the semen, and after wiping it off with tissue, about 20 to 30 minutes later, he touched my genital area with his fingers, inserting them about 3 centimeters.
During this process, his fingers had also touched the bedding and clothing before coming into contact with me.
What is the likelihood of pregnancy in this situation? I took emergency contraception on August 20th.
On August 28th, I noticed brownish-red discharge when wiping with tissue.
Could this be a side effect of the emergency contraception? Is it possible that it could be implantation bleeding? Additionally, my next menstrual period is expected around September 3rd or 4th.
Starting from August 26th, I have been experiencing acne and breast tenderness.
Could the brownish-red discharge be a sign that my period is approaching? Thank you.

QQ, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/08/28

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

On August 19 (which coincided with ovulation), my boyfriend masturbated and ejaculated.
His hands came into contact with the semen, and he wiped it off with tissue.
About 20 to 30 minutes later, he touched my genital area with his fingers, inserting them about 3 centimeters.
During this process, his hands had also touched the blanket and clothing before coming into contact with my genital area.
What is the likelihood of pregnancy in this situation? Answer: The likelihood of pregnancy is low.
On August 20, I took emergency contraception.
On August 28, I noticed brownish-red discharge when wiping with tissue.
Could this be caused by the emergency contraception? Is it possible that this is implantation bleeding? Answer: It is likely caused by the emergency contraception.
My next menstrual period is expected around September 3 or 4.
Starting from August 26, I began to develop acne and experienced breast tenderness.
Could the brownish-red discharge be a sign that my period is approaching? Answer: It is possible.

Reply Date: 2019/08/28

More Info

When considering the risks of pregnancy and discharge issues after ovulation, it's important to understand the biological processes involved and the potential implications of the actions described.
In your scenario, you mentioned that on August 19, during your ovulation period, your boyfriend engaged in sexual activity that involved ejaculation and subsequent contact with your genital area. The likelihood of pregnancy from this situation largely depends on several factors, including the viability of sperm, the timing of ovulation, and the effectiveness of the emergency contraception taken.

Sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract for up to five days, so if ovulation occurred shortly after the contact, there is a possibility of conception. However, since you took an emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) on August 20, this significantly reduces the chances of pregnancy. ECPs are most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, ideally within 72 hours, but they can still be effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after. The mechanism of action primarily involves delaying ovulation, preventing fertilization, or preventing implantation of a fertilized egg.

Regarding the discharge you experienced on August 28, which was described as coffee-colored with a reddish hue, this could be attributed to several factors. It is possible that this discharge is a side effect of the emergency contraceptive pill, as hormonal fluctuations can lead to changes in menstrual cycle patterns, including spotting or breakthrough bleeding. This is a common occurrence after taking ECPs and is generally not a cause for concern.

On the other hand, the discharge could also be indicative of implantation bleeding, which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the uterine lining. However, given that you took the ECP shortly after the potential risk of pregnancy, the likelihood of implantation bleeding is reduced.

As for the symptoms you mentioned, such as the development of acne and breast tenderness starting from August 26, these can be associated with hormonal changes in your body, either due to the natural menstrual cycle or as a side effect of the emergency contraceptive pill. Breast tenderness and acne are common premenstrual symptoms, which could suggest that your period is approaching.

In terms of your menstrual cycle, if you expect your period around September 3 or 4, the timing of your symptoms aligns with the luteal phase of your cycle, where premenstrual symptoms are typically experienced. If your period does not arrive on time, it would be advisable to take a pregnancy test to confirm whether or not you are pregnant.

In summary, while there is a potential risk of pregnancy from the described scenario, the use of emergency contraception significantly reduces this risk. The discharge you experienced is likely related to hormonal changes from the ECP, but if you have any concerns or if your period is significantly delayed, consulting with a healthcare provider for further evaluation and guidance would be prudent. Always remember that understanding your body and its responses to hormonal changes is crucial in managing reproductive health effectively.

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