Can having sex after throwing up a contraceptive pill lead to pregnancy?

Question

Hello doctor,

I took a general combined pill a few days back but I threw up within 30 minutes so decided to wait for three days for my period to start. I had sex the following week, and four days after that I started taking the pill and have been taking it at the same time every day since. Am I protected? Currently, I am taking Tetralysal and an inhaler for asthma.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for stopping by!

I am here to provide expert opinions on your medical issues.

This can be decided only by knowing which half of the periods you missed the pill. If it was at the beginning or end (not in the middle 10 days) of the cycle, there is not much risk of ovulation or pregnancy. Missing up to two tablets is fine. For any further misses, additional contraception is required, as the hormones escape the suppression and ovulation may occur, putting you at risk of pregnancy. What you could have done is, after you threw up, you could have waited for two to five hours and then had the next pill. If you forget to have the pill, take it as soon as you remember. If you miss one day, have both tablets at the same time the next day. Use condoms or emergency pills. Now what you can do is, keep having the pills and finish them, if already on the post-14th day of periods, and sex was within the last 72 hours, have an emergency contraceptive. You will have the periods within 7 to 10 days. If there are no periods, wait for 10 to 14 days maximum, then check for pregnancy (just for confirmation, chances are low).

Thank you for consulting me.

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