Can five contraceptive pills help to prevent pregnancy?

Question

Hello doctor,

My partner and I had unprotected sex, and I am not sure about my safety. According to my menstruation calendar, I should have been safe during that time. However, I am worried that it might be incorrect. As a precautionary measure, I took five emergency contraceptive pills one hour after the unprotected sex, and an additional five pills after 12 hours. I am still unsure if this is sufficient, or if I should take two more pills. I am currently taking monthly pills, but it has only been six days since I started, so I am unsure if I am fully protected or not. Kindly help me.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern. Firstly, I would like to inform you that one emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is sufficient. Avoid taking excessive pills as it can disrupt your menstrual cycle and affect your body. In addition, pregnancy can only occur if precum (pre-ejaculate) or semen is released inside the vagina. You can take a urine pregnancy test (UPT) on the first day of a missed period. If you are unsure about your next period, wait at least ten days after having unprotected sex before taking the test. It is important to wait for your period to occur naturally. If your period does not arrive and it has been more than ten days, you can take a urine pregnancy test. If the result is negative, you can then consider a beta hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) test. If you still have concerns, I suggest you consult a gynecologist for a detailed evaluation. I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.

Thank you.