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How Effective Is Plan B Emergency Contraceptive In Preventing Pregnancy?
Question: I am 43 years old. I don't want to sound like a silly teenager who is in a fix but-- My husband and me used a condom and the condom fell off afterwards this morning Nov. 15th. I freaked out. I removed the condom from me so fast and washed myself like crazy in the shower. I don't know if something came out of the condom or not? My cycle runs between 28- 30 days. The first day of my last period started between the 4th and 5th of November. Well its Nov. 15. With me being 43 and removing the condom, washing right away, and going by my cycle what is my chance of getting pregnant from this condom mishap? Should I go buy plan B today to be on the safe side? I have 3 children. Age 22, 14 and 9 yr old. My hands are full. I cant have another child. I think I would have a nervous break down if I did. I don't believe in abortion either. Plan B is not a form of abortion is it? I am currently not on birth pills but I use to be a long time ago. Is plan B safe with very little side effects? What are my chances if I use or don't use plan B? Thank you
Brief Answer:
You should have Plan B right now
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Events like condom break occur once in a while and it is good to take measures to avoid a pregnancy. We do not have any percentage on condom break causing pregnancy but if the condom break occurs during day 11 to 15 of the cycle in a woman then the risk is highest. In your case the condom break happened on day 11 and therefore there is a significant risk of pregnancy because you are fertile at this time.
2. Plan B contains a high dose of hormone Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg and this prevents the pregnancy from occurring. This is not abortion and you should have plan B early and stop any chances of pregnancy from the condom break. Plan B will give you 95 percent protection if taken within a day of the sexual intercourse with condom break
3. Plan B will cause early or late periods for next two cycles and this happens with most women. Please do not worry if you are having plan B once. Regular use of plan B causes side effects. This is if it is used more than once in 3 months. If you do not use Plan B then there is a high risk of pregnancy.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
You should have Plan B right now
Detailed Answer:
Hi xxxxxxxxx,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Events like condom break occur once in a while and it is good to take measures to avoid a pregnancy. We do not have any percentage on condom break causing pregnancy but if the condom break occurs during day 11 to 15 of the cycle in a woman then the risk is highest. In your case the condom break happened on day 11 and therefore there is a significant risk of pregnancy because you are fertile at this time.
2. Plan B contains a high dose of hormone Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg and this prevents the pregnancy from occurring. This is not abortion and you should have plan B early and stop any chances of pregnancy from the condom break. Plan B will give you 95 percent protection if taken within a day of the sexual intercourse with condom break
3. Plan B will cause early or late periods for next two cycles and this happens with most women. Please do not worry if you are having plan B once. Regular use of plan B causes side effects. This is if it is used more than once in 3 months. If you do not use Plan B then there is a high risk of pregnancy.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
This condom incident happened around 8 am this morning. Its been 8 hours now. So if I go buy this Plan B and take it by this afternoon on my 11th day in my cycle I will have a 95% chance of not getting pregnant?
Also with me being 43 year old doesn't that also lower my chance of pregnancy? Also the condom did not break it just came off afterwards instead of staying in place afterwards. So does that make a difference? Thanks
Also with me being 43 year old doesn't that also lower my chance of pregnancy? Also the condom did not break it just came off afterwards instead of staying in place afterwards. So does that make a difference? Thanks
Brief Answer:
You require emergency protection like Plan B
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. You have rightly understood that taking Plan B now after 8 hours will still be effective and offer you with 95 percent protection.
2. Pregnancy can occur any time when a woman is in reproductive age. Pregnancy at 43 years is not a XXXXXXX and it is better to take precautions which are available in your hand rather than regret later.
3. Condom break and slippage exposes to similar chances of pregnancy. It is broadly called condom failure event.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
You require emergency protection like Plan B
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. You have rightly understood that taking Plan B now after 8 hours will still be effective and offer you with 95 percent protection.
2. Pregnancy can occur any time when a woman is in reproductive age. Pregnancy at 43 years is not a XXXXXXX and it is better to take precautions which are available in your hand rather than regret later.
3. Condom break and slippage exposes to similar chances of pregnancy. It is broadly called condom failure event.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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