Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Pregnancy Risks After Intercourse - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), such as the one you mentioned (commonly known as Plan B or "morning-after pill"), are designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. They are most effective when taken as soon as possible after the event, ideally within 72 hours, but some formulations can be effective up to 120 hours post-intercourse.
In your case, since you took the emergency contraceptive pill within three hours of having unprotected intercourse, you have significantly reduced your risk of becoming pregnant. ECPs work primarily by delaying ovulation; if ovulation has already occurred, the effectiveness may be reduced. Since you mentioned that the intercourse occurred five days after your menstrual period ended, it is important to consider your ovulation cycle. For many women, ovulation typically occurs around 14 days before the next expected period, but this can vary based on individual cycle lengths and regularity.

If your cycle is regular and approximately 28 days, ovulation would likely occur around day 14, which means that having intercourse on day 5 would be before your fertile window. However, if you have irregular cycles, predicting ovulation can be more challenging, and the risk of pregnancy could be higher if you ovulate earlier than expected.

The effectiveness of ECPs is generally high, with studies showing that they can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89% when taken within the recommended time frame. However, they are not 100% effective, and factors such as body weight and timing can influence their efficacy.
It is also worth noting that ECPs do not terminate an existing pregnancy; they work to prevent one from occurring. If you have concerns about the possibility of being pregnant after taking the ECP, you may consider taking a home pregnancy test about two weeks after the intercourse or consult with your healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In summary, while there is always a small chance of pregnancy with any contraceptive method, taking the emergency contraceptive pill shortly after unprotected intercourse significantly lowers that risk. If you have any further concerns or experience any unusual symptoms, such as a missed period or unexpected bleeding, it is advisable to follow up with your healthcare provider for personalized advice and support.