Brief Answer:
Pregnancy unlikely.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing to us.

If she has regular 28-30 day cycles, she was almost in her safe period when the first intercourse happened and as such, chances of conception are less. She has perhaps seen a natural period, perhaps heavy due to slight hormonal imbalance.

If she has longer periods, chemical pregnancy should be considered. This can be detected by performing a blood test for pregnancy. Urine pregnancy tests read well only 3-7 days after a missed period and with a fresh early morning sample of urine.

The possible cause of the current spotting is the breakthrough bleeding consequent to the intake of the emergency pill. The pill contains high doses of hormone and thus the hormonal balance of the body is disturbed. Also, unprotected intercourse soon after a period is safe unless the periods are very short. So, in this context also, chances of conception are very poor.

The emergency pill can cause a delay in the next natural period by a week or two and please see a specialist if the next period is not seen even after ten days after it is due.

Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to contact for further information. I will be happy to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.

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Brief Answer:
Not because of pregnancy but due to the pill.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back.

The bleeding is not because of pregnancy as the chances of conception are almost nil, the reasons being:
--the fact that she recently had a period and this means she is yet to ovulate, as ovulation occurs two weeks ahead of the onset of the next period.
--the fact that she had an emergency pill and this offers high protection when taken within the stipulated time interval.

The pill creates hormonal disturbances and thus leads to breakthrough bleeding and this is what she is seeing now. This usually subsides in a couple of days and if this persists, you should take the help of a specialist. In that event, styptics and a further course of hormones will be sufficient to put things at ease.

Hope I have clarified your query. Please get back if you need any more suggestions. I will be ready to help.

regards,
Shanti.V.

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Brief Answer:
Emergency pills not to be taken frequently

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing again.

Here are your answers:

1. Emergency pills, if used too frequently can cause hormonal irregularities so severe that may impede future fertility. So, it is always advised that their use be restricted to one or two times a year and only for the real emergencies.

2. This withdrawal bleeding usually subsides in a couple of days; sometimes it may mimic a natural period.

3. As you are already using a barrier method, you should add another mode of contraception which is regular for better safety. This can be any hormonal device or an IUD or another barrier method.

4. Ovulation calculators that are available in the market detect only the hormonal surge that precedes ovulation and not ovulation and hence are not completely reliable. The best way is to detect the basal body temperature from day one of the cycle. Though this is a tedious procedure, this is the best way available to detect ovulation and also early pregnancy. This is indicated by the temperature rise that follows ovulation and persists if pregnancy has occurred. None of the available tests can detect a pregnancy sooner.

Hope I have answered all your questions. Please contact if you need any more help. I will be glad to do so.

regards,
Shanti.V.

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