Emergency Contraceptive Pills: What to Do If You Vomit After Taking Them?

Is it effective if I vomit blood after taking emergency contraception?

Doctor, I have a question.
In the afternoon, when I was with my girlfriend, the condom broke and I ejaculated inside her.
The next afternoon, I had her take the emergency contraceptive pill right away.
Is there still a chance she could get pregnant? However, the next morning she vomited blood.
Did the medication work, or is it ineffective now?

hun, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2016/03/06

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, the chances of pregnancy are low, so it is best to use contraception beforehand.
If your period is more than a week late, it is generally recommended to see a gynecologist.
Wishing you good health.

Reply Date: 2016/03/06

More Info

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure, such as a broken condom. The effectiveness of ECPs, particularly those containing levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate, depends on how soon they are taken after the incident. Ideally, they should be taken within 72 hours (for levonorgestrel) or up to 120 hours (for ulipristal acetate) after unprotected intercourse to maximize their effectiveness.

In your situation, since your girlfriend took the emergency contraceptive pill the day after the incident, she is still within the effective window for levonorgestrel. However, the concern arises with her vomiting the following morning. If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking the pill, it is possible that the body did not fully absorb the medication, which could reduce its effectiveness. In such cases, it is generally recommended to take another dose of the ECP.

If your girlfriend vomited after taking the ECP, it is crucial to assess how long after taking the pill the vomiting occurred. If it was within two hours, she should consult a healthcare provider about taking another dose. If it was after two hours, the medication is likely to have been absorbed, and she should not need to take another dose.

It's also important to note that while ECPs are effective in preventing pregnancy, they are not 100% guaranteed. Factors such as the timing of ovulation in her menstrual cycle can influence the likelihood of pregnancy. If her period is delayed by more than a week after the expected date, or if she experiences unusual symptoms, it would be advisable for her to take a pregnancy test or consult a healthcare provider.

In addition to the immediate concern of potential pregnancy, it is essential to monitor her health after vomiting. Vomiting blood can be a sign of a more serious condition, and she should seek medical attention promptly. It could indicate irritation of the stomach lining or other gastrointestinal issues, which may require further evaluation.

In summary, if your girlfriend vomited within two hours of taking the emergency contraceptive pill, she should consider taking another dose and consult a healthcare provider. If the vomiting occurred later, she should monitor her symptoms and consider taking a pregnancy test if her period is late. Regardless, any instance of vomiting blood warrants immediate medical attention.

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