What Causes Delayed Periods After Taking Emergency Contraceptive Pill?

Posted on Thu, 17 Apr 2014

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

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 Answered on

Mon, 5 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi ,my last period was on 18 march 2014 , I took i pill (emergency contraceptive)on 23rd march 2014 and unwanted 72 (emergency contraceptive)on 26th march 2014 . I have still not got my periods . I took a pregnancy home test , it was negative . why haven't i still not got my periods . also i want to know taking two pills in a short duration , does it affect my cycle (if yes , how much minimum delay is expected).Is there anything i can take to force my periods . plz help

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: DETAILS ARE GIVEN BELOW. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for writing to us. You have taken double dose of emergency contraceptive pill and it is the MAIN cause of late period due to hormonal imbalance and associated mental stress. Second thing, you did SAFE sex according to your last period date and your chance of pregnancy is EXTREMELY RARE. Most women get a withdrawal bleeding within 5 to 7 days of taking emergency pill. However, your next period will be delayed for 1-2 weeks from due date. I suggest you to wait at least one week and repeat home pregnancy test to exclude rare possibility of pregnancy. If you don't get your period within 7 days, you can take Progesterone pill like NORETHISTERONE for 3 to 5 days to induce period. Kindly, consult with your doctor for complete prescription. Hope, it helps for your information. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query. Wish your good health and take care yourself. 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 (18 minutes later)

Thank you for the reply . Also , I forgot to mention one thing , I also have another doubt regarding an unprotected encounter on 4th april 2014 though the semen had been on my body (upper hip left side portion)only and i washed it as soon as i saw it and cleaned it with a towel and we did not had any vaginal intercourse. I doubt it must have touched the vagina but I am not sure about it. plz help me , is it possible to get pregnant p.s I am a pcos (pcod) patient

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer: REPEAT HOME PREGNANCY TEST AFTER 7 DAYS. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for follow up query. If semen was deposited on your hip portion after unprotected sex, you may have low chance of pregnancy due to pre-ejaculatory fluid or precum (contains small amount sperm) during your ovulation time (around 3rd to 4th April). It is better to repeat home pregnancy test after 7 days to confirm pregnancy and on negative test, you can take progesterone pill to induce period. Hope, I have answered your query. Kindly, close the discussion. All the best and good luck. Regards, Dr Soumen

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (27 minutes later)

regarding the 4th april 2014 unprotected encounter(no sexual intercourse took place before or after). this encounter was in a shower when i found out the semens on my upper hip side and washed it immediately and cleaned the whole portion ,so I am afraid that if it could have seeped in because of flowing water though i was very careful in washing but i think before i found out about the semens on my hip, some of it might had seeped in before I realised it and washed it., we did not have any intercourse. I took a home pregnancy test today and it was negative . it is still possible i might be pregnant (till what date should i keep doing the pregnancy test ). also when can i start the Norethisterone tablet . my period was supposed to come on 14th of april.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Soumen Patra (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer: RARE CHANCE OF PREGNANCY. WAIT UP TO 21st APRIL. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for additional details and query. You should wait up to 21st April to get period naturally and if you don't get it, you must repeat the home pregnancy test before taking Norethisterone pill. If there is NO sexual intercourse on 4th April, then your chance of pregnancy is EXTREMELY RARE. You wouldn't be worried much. Good luck and close the discussion. Regards, Dr Soumen

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