Dr. Khushbu
Obstetrics and Gynecology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I had protected sex in the first week of last month, and the condom broke. I took emergency contraception (i-pill) and my regular 21-day birth control pill shortly after. I have continued taking the 21-day pill daily at 5 pm. I noticed some bleeding after the condom broke and again recently. Am I at risk of pregnancy? How long should I continue the 21-day pill? Please help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Could you please clarify when you had your last period?
Did you take any medication last month or this month?
The bleeding you experienced is likely a result of taking the emergency contraceptive pill. The 21-day birth control pills do not function in the same manner as emergency contraceptive pills.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for replying.
Last month, my period started on the 17th, so it was expected to arrive on the 17th of this month. However, I am aware that due to the various pills I have been taking, it may be delayed by up to a week.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
I apologize for the previous error. If you took the emergency contraceptive pill on this month, the spotting-like bleeding is indeed a side effect of the emergency contraceptive pill.
Regarding the 21-day oral contraceptive pills, it is recommended to start them on the second day of your period for optimal effectiveness. Starting them at any other time may not be as effective and can lead to misconceptions.
I suggest discontinuing the pill, and you should expect your period within the next 7 days.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
My apologies for the typo; I took the pills this month. Can I expect my period to arrive within the next 7 days? If there are any methods or tips to help induce my period, please share them.
Thank you for your medical advice.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
There is a possibility of experiencing withdrawal bleeding within seven days after the last dose of contraceptive pills, so it is likely that you will get your period within this timeframe. In this situation, all you need to do is wait for your period to arrive. Emergency contraceptive pills can sometimes cause irregular periods, so there is a chance of a delay in your menstrual cycle.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thank you for your reply.
Does irregular periods mean that I will not have a regular flow but just a few spots of blood for a few days? Also, can we confirm that the bleeding I experienced earlier rules out pregnancy?
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Irregular periods typically imply that your menstrual cycle may not follow a regular pattern for the next 2-3 cycles. Bleeding after taking an emergency contraceptive pill does not definitively confirm or rule out pregnancy, as emergency contraception can have a failure rate. Additionally, since you also took oral contraceptive pills, it adds complexity to the situation. To get a more accurate result, it's advisable to wait for 3 weeks after the sexual intercourse in question to take a pregnancy test.
Thank you.
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Obstetrics and Gynecology
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