What Are The Chances Of Pregnancy After Taking Plan B?

Posted on Mon, 11 Sep 2017

Question: Hi,

My last period was July 21 (late at night) to July 25th. My husband and I had sex on July 28th and the condom broke. He did not ejaculate in me but I was concerned about precum so I took Plan B 35 hours later. After the fact, I read that the Pill isn't effective if women weigh over 160, which I do, I weigh more. I had bleeding for 3 days starting August 5th. The first two days of bleeding were heavy. I'm assuming that this was withdraw bleeding? Then, on August 11th, my breasts were sore and I had egg white vaginal discharge. My period was supposed to arrive on August 21 but it has not yet.
Yesterday and today I have been feeling on an off nausea.

Questions:

1. What are the chances that I could be pregnant?
2. Did I ovulate even though I took the Pill?
3. What do you think I am feeling nauseous?

THanks.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You could not get pregnant from this encounter!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about your concerns regarding the delayed period. There is no way you could have gotten pregnant from this encounter. This is because it takes at least 14days from the start of your last menses for ovulation to occur. Having sex on the 28th means there was no egg for ovulation and fertilisation and could not have therefore gotten pregnant.

The early bleed, delayed menses and nauseous feeling are all linked to hormonal changes following the emergency contraceptive pill. Be calm and relaxed and it will certainly take a few more cycles for all to settle. This is not uncommon with emergency contraception.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if you have any further concerns.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (25 minutes later)

Thank you for the quick reponse. So is the hormone still in my system? You mentioned hormonal imbalance as the cause for delayed menses and nausea. Why would I just be starting to feel the nausea now and not earlier in my cycle? I'm just trying to understand better. Also, when should I expect my period?

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
See below!i,

Detailed Answer:
H

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (15 hours later)

Hi. I never received an answer to my second question. Thanks .

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Am sorry. I submitted in error and couldn't gain access to it again!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Women have a cyclical hormonal cycle (Monthly). This explains why your periods go around monthly. When you take emergency contraception, it overrides this hormonal cycle. This is what prevents ovulation and eventual fertilisation and pregnancy.

The same changes in the hormonal patterns will explain changes in the anticipated dates of the cycle. The hormonal changes can also cause side effects of nausea, vomiting, etc.

I reviewed your details fully and pregnancy is clearly an impossibility at this time if your reported dates and timeline is accurate. The only left possible cause is hormonal imbalance. For sure, no one can say with precision when the next cycle is due. My best bet would be 28days after the last bleeding you reported.

I hope this addresses your worry fully. I wish you well. Feel free to follow up with me if you have nay further doubts/unaddressed worries.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

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