Is emergency contraception needed if menstruation begins?

Question

Hello doctor,

My partner and I had unprotected sex two days ago, and he ejaculated inside me. I was planning to take an emergency contraceptive pill (I-Pill) today, but I just got my period. Now I am confused about whether I still need to take the I-Pill.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concerns.

Since your period started within 48 hours of unprotected sex and the bleeding appears to be like a normal menstrual period, the chances of pregnancy are extremely low. Ovulation typically occurs about two weeks before your period. If your cycle is regular, it is very unlikely that you were in your fertile window when the unprotected sex happened. While sperm can survive in the body for up to five days, the fact that your period has started suggests that you are not ovulating, making fertilization very unlikely.

So, do you still need to take the emergency contraceptive pill (I-Pill)? In most cases like yours, the answer is no. You have already started your period, which is a strong indication that you are not pregnant. The bleeding began very shortly after the unprotected intercourse, and considering the timing in relation to your menstrual cycle, it is highly likely that you were not in your fertile window. All of these factors together suggest that the risk of pregnancy is extremely low, and taking the I-Pill may not be necessary in this situation.

However, if the bleeding is unusually light or different from your normal period, or if your cycles are highly irregular, it may be a good idea to take a pregnancy test in about two to three weeks to be completely sure.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.