Does I Pill Usage Have Any Effect On Future Pregnancy?

Posted on Tue, 22 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 22 Apr 2014 Answered on

Thu, 8 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Doctor. I took 2 tablets of ipill in 2012 within a gap of 4 to 5 months between two dosages. Last year(2013) i took one ipill in August and now day before yesterday, i.e., April 20, 2014 i took an ipill again. So now that makes a total of 4 ipills in my entire life and that too with a gap of a few months between each dosage depending on when i had unprotected sex. Can this much dosage have any long term side effect on my body that can be harmful?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (-4 hours later)

Brief Answer: DETAILS ARE GIVEN BELOW. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. 1) If you take I-pill or other emergency contraceptive pill after a long gap, then there will be NO harmful effect on your body and menstrual cycle. 2) Frequent taking of I-PILL may cause irregular cycle and late period as a result of improper ovulation which may be problematic while you will try to conceive in future. 3) If you want to involve in unprotected sex frequently, then regular or combined contraceptive pill is the BEST choice. It will give highest protection (around 99.9%) and regular monthly period. Hope, it helps for your information. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query. Wish your good health and practice safe sex in future. Regards, Dr Soumen For future query, you can directly approach me through http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (6 minutes later)

So, how do you define 'frequent taking of i-pill' that is harmful? Does it mean taking the pill every month or every week or every year ? Please give me a precise time period defining the frequency.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer: FOLLOW THE ADVICE. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for follow up query. Frequently taking means either every week or every month. If you give a long gap and take I-PILL, then you don't get much period disturbance. I-PILL itself is NOT harmful, but, it causes irregular or late cycle which is more common in taking pill frequently. You would take I-Pill according to your frequency of sexual intercourse. If it occurs monthly or weekly, then REGULAR PILL is best. If you involve in sex after 3-4 months gap, then you can take I-PILL instead of regular pill. Hope, it helps to understand. Kindly, close the discussion and rate the answer with complete review. All the best and good luck. Regards, Dr Soumen

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (7 minutes later)

Thank you so much Doctor. Just one last query - So other than these temporary side effects, will there be any other long term side effect of the pill on my baby in my womb which I would want to have if I choose to conceive in the future? Also will there be any risk of damage to my reproductive system or any other system of my body or any risk of any type of cancer to me due to this pill?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer: NO HARMFUL EFFECT IN FUTURE. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for additional query. NO, there will be NO long term side effect of I-PILL (like damage of reproductive system, cancer or conceiving problem). It has some tolerable side effects like nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramp, breast tenderness, light headache, irregular menstrual cycle (on frequently taking) etc. I suggest you NOT to take I-PILL frequently and you can use it for emergency purpose only. You can practice safe sex (first 5 days after period over and last 5 days before onset of period) where you don't need any kind of emergency pill. However, your period should be regular within 28 to 30 days duration. Kindly, close the discussion and give complete review. Best wishes to you. Regards, Dr Soumen

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar