Can Plan B tablets prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had my last period in the second week of last month. Following that, in the third week, I had unprotected sex, but I also took a plan B pill immediately on the same day. One week later after sex, I started spotting, and it lasted for eight days. I also had cramps and swollen painful breasts. All these disappeared after a week, and following this I took two pregnancy tests that came out negative. Yesterday, the spotting started again, the blood is brown, just like in the previous spotting, and it is coupled with really painful cramps. What could be the issue? Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

According to your history, you had unprotected intercourse last month and Plan B (oral contraceptive) on the same day. You experienced spotting after a week and breast tenderness. The pregnancy test done two weeks later turned out to be negative. So given your history, the second week after your period was your fertile period, but since you took the pill the chances of conception are negligible. Emergency contraceptives have a low failure rate if taken within the first seventy-two hours.

Breast tenderness is because of the Progesterone hormone that is present in plan B. Spotting after a week is the withdrawal bleeding that usually happens after a coital pill. Since your pregnancy test was negative on the second week of intercourse, I do not think we should be concerned about pregnancy as a pregnancy test usually becomes positive two weeks after intercourse or on the first day of missed period. The spotting that you have had since yesterday might be your normal cycle. So just wait, you will have proper flow in a day or two. The only thing I would like you to do is repeat a pregnancy test if the flow does not start.

I hope this information will help you.

Kindly revert in case of queries.

Thank you.