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What Are The Chance Of Pregnancy After Taking Emergency Contraceptives?
I had unprotected sex on what I think was the 7th day of my cycle. I took an over the counter morning after pill within 24 hours. I then took Ella One a little less than 4 days later and states taking a birth control pill on that same day. Finally, on the 7th day after having unprotected sex I have a para guard copper IUD placed. It has now been about 3 weeks and I have been spotting to medium flow for the past few days. My periods are usually light with one or two days of heavier flow - heavier than what I have experienced over the last few days. I am curious if what I just experienced was my actual period; if I could be pregnate; and why there is a discrepancy regarding the timing to place the para guard IUD as emergency contraception (some literature says 5 days and others say 5 - 7. I should also mention that I am 45 year old and that I stopped taking the birth control pills about 5 days ago.
Fri, 24 Feb 2023
Hi,
As, both these pills i.e. morning after pill and ellaOne are emergency contraceptives with about 90% efficacy, if taken within 72 hours and 120 hours respectively after the sexual exposure. However, these are having better efficacy, earlier we take these. In your case, as you already took morning after pill within 24 hours followed by ellaOne within 96 hours. Therefore, your chances of being pregnant are minimal.
Also, as you placed para guard copper IUD also on 7th day of sex, making the chances of your being pregnant even less almost to zero level. Definitely, the effectivity of para guard copper IUD is there, if used within 7 days , the sooner we use, more is the effectivity, therefore, it is somewhat more effective if used within 5 days than being used within 7 days.
Also, it is very much normal for your periods to be heavier or lighter, cycle may be bigger or shorter, bleeding may be in the form of spotting etc. after the placement of para guard copper IUD. Hence, by all means, you do not look to be pregnant. Still, to be 100% sure, an HPT is the only option.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
As, both these pills i.e. morning after pill and ellaOne are emergency contraceptives with about 90% efficacy, if taken within 72 hours and 120 hours respectively after the sexual exposure. However, these are having better efficacy, earlier we take these. In your case, as you already took morning after pill within 24 hours followed by ellaOne within 96 hours. Therefore, your chances of being pregnant are minimal.
Also, as you placed para guard copper IUD also on 7th day of sex, making the chances of your being pregnant even less almost to zero level. Definitely, the effectivity of para guard copper IUD is there, if used within 7 days , the sooner we use, more is the effectivity, therefore, it is somewhat more effective if used within 5 days than being used within 7 days.
Also, it is very much normal for your periods to be heavier or lighter, cycle may be bigger or shorter, bleeding may be in the form of spotting etc. after the placement of para guard copper IUD. Hence, by all means, you do not look to be pregnant. Still, to be 100% sure, an HPT is the only option.
Take care. Hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Satnarain Bansal, General & Family Physician
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