Pregnancy Chances After Irregular Menstrual Cycles - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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Probability of Pregnancy


Hello doctor, my menstrual period in July was from the 14th to the 19th, and I expected it to come around the same time in August.
Therefore, I took emergency contraceptive pills on August 13th and 14th, and my period came from August 19th to 23rd.
In September, I had to go out around the 20th, so I took the emergency contraceptive pills again on September 16th, 17th, and 18th, and my period came from September 23rd to 27th.
I did not take any pills in October.
On November 18th and 19th, I took emergency contraceptive pills again, and on November 20th, 21st, and 22nd, I had unprotected intercourse.
On the 25th, I noticed a little bit of brown blood when I wiped after using the restroom, but there was no trace of blood on the sanitary pad on the 25th and 26th.
However, there was a little bit when I wiped.
Today, throughout the day, there has only been a small amount on the sanitary pad.
Is there a chance of pregnancy? When can I take a pregnancy test?

SC, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2020/11/27

Dr. Huang Zifei reply Obstetrics and Gynecology


Dear SC,
If sexual intercourse only occurred between November 20 and November 22, and you have not had a normal menstrual period by December 13, you can take a pregnancy test.
For future contraception, it is recommended to use methods such as pre-coital contraceptive pills, emergency contraceptive pills, or condoms.
If you have any other questions, please consult a gynecologist.
Dr.
Huang Zifei, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantou Hospital

Reply Date: 2020/11/27

More Info


Understanding your chances of pregnancy after experiencing irregular menstrual cycles can be quite complex, especially when you have been using medications to delay your periods. Based on the information you've provided, it appears that you have been actively managing your menstrual cycle with medication, which can sometimes lead to unpredictable patterns in your cycle and ovulation.

Firstly, it's important to understand how ovulation works in relation to your menstrual cycle. Typically, ovulation occurs about 14 days before your next expected period. However, if your cycles are irregular, pinpointing the exact time of ovulation can be challenging. The use of medications to delay your period can further complicate this, as they may alter your hormonal balance and affect ovulation timing.

From your description, it seems that you have had several instances of taking medication to delay your period, followed by instances of unprotected intercourse. The spotting you experienced on the 25th could be indicative of several things, including implantation bleeding, which occurs when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. However, it could also be related to hormonal fluctuations caused by the medications or even the onset of your next period.

Regarding your chances of pregnancy, it is indeed possible to conceive if you had unprotected intercourse during your fertile window, which is typically a few days before and including the day of ovulation. Given that you mentioned having intercourse on the 20th and that your menstrual cycle has been irregular, it is difficult to determine if you were ovulating at that time. If you ovulated later than expected, there is a chance that you could be pregnant.

As for when to take a pregnancy test, it is generally recommended to wait until at least the first day of your missed period for the most accurate results. Since your cycles are irregular, if you suspect you might be pregnant, you could consider taking a test about two weeks after the date of potential conception (in this case, around the 20th). If you experience any unusual symptoms, such as significant cramping, heavy bleeding, or persistent spotting, it would be wise to consult with a healthcare provider for further evaluation.

In summary, while there is a possibility of pregnancy given the circumstances, the irregularity of your cycles and the use of medications complicate the situation. Monitoring your symptoms and timing a pregnancy test appropriately will be key in determining your status. If you have any concerns or if your symptoms change, seeking advice from a healthcare professional would be beneficial.

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