Your Menstrual Cycle and Emergency Contraception Effects

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If sexual intercourse occurs on the 9th day of a menstrual cycle that lasts about 35 days, is there a chance of pregnancy? If emergency contraception is taken afterward and no further sexual intercourse occurs, can sperm still resist the effectiveness of the emergency contraception? After taking the emergency contraception, there was heavy bleeding for four days starting on the seventh day; does this count as a menstrual period? (This would be the 15th day of the cycle.) Can the bleeding after taking emergency contraception (which is uncertain if it is a menstrual period) be considered the first day of the cycle? I have been counting from the bleeding, and today is the 34th day with no menstrual period yet.
My cycle can last up to 39 days, and around the 19th day, I experienced ovulation-like bleeding with significant discharge for three days, but now it has stopped.

QQ, 20~29 year old female. Ask Date: 2007/04/07

Dr. Lin Zhaopei reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

1.
A 35-day cycle, the 9th day is not considered a fertile period.
2.
Emergency contraception is effective as long as it is taken within 72 hours after intercourse.
3.
It can be considered as menstruation.
4.
It can be counted as the first day.
5.
The next menstrual cycle after taking emergency contraception may be irregular.

Reply Date: 2007/04/07

More Info

Understanding your menstrual cycle and the effects of emergency contraception can be quite complex, especially when considering the timing of sexual activity, ovulation, and the potential for pregnancy. Let's break down your questions and concerns step by step.

Menstrual Cycle and Timing of Ovulation
A typical menstrual cycle can range from 21 to 35 days, with ovulation usually occurring around the midpoint of the cycle. In your case, with a cycle length of approximately 35 days, ovulation would likely occur around day 21. Engaging in sexual intercourse on day 9 of your cycle means that you are likely still in the follicular phase, which is before ovulation.

Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception (EC), such as Plan B (levonorgestrel) or Ella (ulipristal acetate), is designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. These medications work primarily by delaying ovulation. If you took the emergency contraceptive pill shortly after having unprotected sex, it would reduce the likelihood of ovulation occurring and thus decrease the chance of sperm fertilizing an egg.

Sperm Viability
Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for up to five days, but if you took the emergency contraception soon after the sexual encounter, the chances of sperm surviving long enough to fertilize an egg that may be released during ovulation are significantly reduced. Therefore, the likelihood of becoming pregnant from the encounter on day 9, especially after taking EC, is low.

Post-Emergency Contraception Bleeding
The bleeding you experienced seven days after taking the emergency contraceptive pill could be a side effect of the medication. Many women experience changes in their menstrual cycle after taking EC, including spotting or bleeding that may not be a true menstrual period. This bleeding can occur due to hormonal changes induced by the emergency contraceptive.

Determining Your Cycle
If the bleeding you experienced after taking the emergency contraception lasted for four days, it may or may not be considered your menstrual period. If it was lighter than your usual period and occurred earlier than expected, it could be a withdrawal bleed from the EC rather than a true menstrual cycle.
In terms of calculating your next period, if you consider the bleeding as the start of your cycle, you would count that as day one. However, if you believe it was not a true period, you might want to wait for your next expected period based on your usual cycle length.

Current Situation
As of today, if you are on day 34 of your cycle and have not yet had your period, it is still within the range of a normal cycle, especially considering that cycles can vary in length. If you are concerned about the possibility of pregnancy, you may want to take a home pregnancy test for reassurance, especially if your period does not arrive soon.

Conclusion
In summary, the chances of becoming pregnant from the encounter on day 9 of your cycle are low, especially after taking emergency contraception. The bleeding you experienced could be a side effect of the EC rather than your regular menstrual period. If you have further concerns or if your period does not arrive, consider consulting with a healthcare provider for personalized advice and guidance.

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