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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Unprotected Sex, Taken Pill, Delayed Periods, HCG Tests Shown Negative. Side Effects Of Pill?

Hello,
Im having a bit of a pregnancy scare right now. I had a very brief moment of unprotected sex on the 9th of March, a day after my periods got over, and then took an i-pill the next day just as a precaution. I've had protected sex about 3 - 4 times since. My period was to start on the 7th or 9th of April this time round, but my periods have shown no signs of starting. I'm in no position to get pregnant right now. Have taken two HCG tests in a fit of desperation and both have thankfully shown negative. I've got a third test to take tomorrow morning though. Are HCG tests as reliable? Is this delay because of the pill? Help!
Fri, 28 Jun 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
thanks for using health care magic

You can not get pregnant by having sex the day after your menses. Biologically it is not possible and if you did not have other unprotected intercourse following that day or had been pregnant before then mistook the bleeding for menses, then you can not be pregnant.

Ipill is a hormonal emergency contraceptive effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within the recommended time interval. You did take the pill within that interval thus another reason why you could not be pregnant.

The delay in menses is definitely due to the stress that you are going through and the effect of the pill which is known to distort menstrual cycle in some women either by sudden bleeding or increase menstrual flow or delayed menses. However, the changes are only within a few cycles.

Hope this helps you
Best regards
Dr Achuo
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General & Family Physician Dr. Shoaib Khan's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM.

Thank you for your query.

I would first have preferred to know whether this is the first time your periods have been irregular/delayed, or you have always had irregular periods. If so, then you should wait a while longer for your period. If not, then this could certainly indicate some underlying condition.

Now commenting on the i-pill. This is a very effective contracceptive, which has to be taken within 72 hours of the sexual act. Its efficacy drops as time passes and is deemed ineffective after 72 hours of the sexual act.

It is 98 % effective if taken within 24 hours of the sexual act
It is 85 % effective if taken within 25-48 hours of the sexual act
It is 58 % effective if taken within 49-72 hours of the sexual act

As you can see, although you have taken the pill, its efficacy cannot be predicted. Now coming to the side-effects, yes the pill can at times result in menstrual irregularities.

The HCG tests are reliable, but have to be taken at least 2 weeks after the sexual intercourse. For some women a pregnancy is undetectable till 3-4 week after the initiation of the pregnancy as well. So if your tests are negative even after 4 weeks since your last sexual act, then you are not pregnant. This could just be a side-effect of the pill, and your period should normalize from your next menstrual cycle.

I hope I have succeeded in providing the information you were looking for. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications at: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-shoaib-khan/64581 . I would gladly help you.

Best wishes.
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Unprotected Sex, Taken Pill, Delayed Periods, HCG Tests Shown Negative. Side Effects Of Pill?

Hello, thanks for using health care magic You can not get pregnant by having sex the day after your menses. Biologically it is not possible and if you did not have other unprotected intercourse following that day or had been pregnant before then mistook the bleeding for menses, then you can not be pregnant. Ipill is a hormonal emergency contraceptive effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within the recommended time interval. You did take the pill within that interval thus another reason why you could not be pregnant. The delay in menses is definitely due to the stress that you are going through and the effect of the pill which is known to distort menstrual cycle in some women either by sudden bleeding or increase menstrual flow or delayed menses. However, the changes are only within a few cycles. Hope this helps you Best regards Dr Achuo