Pregnancy Chances After Unprotected Intercourse and Emergency Contraception

Pregnancy probability

Hello Doctor, I apologize for the inconvenience.
I had a question earlier this afternoon, but I would like to provide more details and am unsure how to modify it, so I am asking again.
I am sorry for any trouble this may cause.

In the past six months, my menstrual cycle has ranged from a shortest of 26 days to a most common 29 days.
My last menstrual period was from September 21 to September 26.
On September 25, which was the fifth day of my period, I had unprotected intercourse with my boyfriend.
It lasted no more than 5 minutes, and I had asked him to withdraw before ejaculation.
I also instructed him to wipe himself with tissue before intercourse.
However, due to my concerns, I asked my boyfriend to buy emergency contraception, which he obtained from a pharmacy.
The package contained three pills, and he took all of them within two hours.
Today, September 30, after taking the pills 5-6 days ago, I noticed some discharge while using the restroom.
It resembled the discharge I typically have before my period, with a pinkish color and some darker red.
According to my app, my last ovulation day was September 7, and the next one is expected on October 4.

I would like to know if these symptoms are a result of the emergency contraception or if they could be indicative of implantation bleeding.
Is there a possibility that I could be pregnant? Thank you very much, Doctor! I appreciate your hard work.

PP, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/09/30

Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

In the past six months, my menstrual cycle has been as short as 26 days and most commonly 29 days.
My last menstrual period was from September 21 to September 26.
On the fifth day of my period, September 25, I had unprotected intercourse with my boyfriend.
However, I asked him to withdraw before ejaculation, and I had him wipe himself with tissue before penetration.
Due to my concerns, I asked my boyfriend to buy emergency contraception, which is a pharmacy's own brand.
There are three pills in the package, and I took all of them within two hours.
Today is September 30, and after taking the pills 5-6 days ago, I noticed some discharge in the afternoon while using the restroom.
The discharge resembled the type that occurs before menstruation, with a pinkish color and some darker red.
According to my app, my last ovulation day was September 7, and this cycle's ovulation day is October 4.
I would like to know if these symptoms are caused by the emergency contraception or if they could be implantation bleeding from a potential pregnancy.

Answer: The symptoms are likely caused by the emergency contraception.
Given this, is there still a chance of pregnancy?
Answer: The chance of pregnancy is low.

Reply Date: 2019/09/30

More Info

Understanding the chances of pregnancy after unprotected intercourse, especially when emergency contraception (EC) is involved, is crucial for anyone who is sexually active. In your case, you had unprotected intercourse on September 25, which was during your menstrual cycle, and you took emergency contraception shortly thereafter.
Emergency contraception is designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible after the intercourse, ideally within 72 hours, but some types can be taken up to 5 days later. The sooner you take it, the better your chances of preventing ovulation or fertilization. Since you took the emergency contraception within two hours of intercourse, you maximized your chances of preventing pregnancy.

Regarding your symptoms of pinkish and reddish discharge a few days after taking the emergency contraception, this could be attributed to several factors. One possibility is that it could be a side effect of the emergency contraceptive pill. Common side effects include changes in menstrual bleeding patterns, such as spotting or breakthrough bleeding, which can occur as your body adjusts to the hormonal changes induced by the medication.
Another possibility is implantation bleeding, which can occur if a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. This typically happens about 6 to 12 days after conception, which aligns with your timeline if fertilization occurred. However, given that you took emergency contraception, the likelihood of implantation bleeding is reduced, as the primary function of the pill is to prevent ovulation and fertilization.

As for your menstrual cycle, you mentioned that your cycles range from 26 to 29 days, with your last period starting on September 21. If your ovulation occurred around October 4, as you indicated, and you took the emergency contraception effectively, the chances of pregnancy should be low. However, no contraceptive method is 100% effective, and there is always a small risk of pregnancy.

If you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, the best course of action is to wait until your expected period date and take a home pregnancy test if your period does not arrive. Home pregnancy tests are most reliable when taken after a missed period, as they measure the hormone hCG, which is produced during pregnancy.

In summary, while the symptoms you are experiencing could be related to the emergency contraception, they could also indicate other factors such as hormonal fluctuations or, less likely, early signs of pregnancy. Monitoring your symptoms and taking a pregnancy test if your period is late will provide you with clearer answers. If you have further concerns or if your symptoms worsen, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and care.

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Dr. Huang Jianzhong reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
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