Had sex, used ECP, could I be pregnant?
Question
I had sex seven days before my period, which was on a Wednesday. On Friday I took an emergency contraceptive pill. I’m not late yet, but I wanted to know what the chances of me being pregnant are??
Answer
Last Updated: July 17, 2013
I am confused by how you would know the intercourse occurred 7 days before your period, if you have not had your period yet. I assume you mean when it would normally come, based on your past cycles. But cycle length can vary, so one cannot really rely on it coming at a certain time, just because it usually does. Furthermore, when a woman actually monitors her cycle closely, she usually finds it varies more than she thinks. In addition, taking the Emergency Contraception can also cause it come earlier or later than it would normally.
The EC has three mechanisms of action, just like the pill:
1) Emergency Contraception can stop the ovary from releasing an egg
2) Emergency Contraception can make the mucus in the cervix thick so sperm have more difficulty penetrating, and
3) Emergency Contraception changes the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg can’t attach.
So to answer your question the best I can, unless you are observing and charting your cycle to know when you ovulated, it is not possible for me to advise if it was a fertile day or not. The first two mechanisms of emergency contraception listed above would prevent pregnancy, the third mechanism is post-fertilization, not allowing the pregnancy to proceed to the implantation phase.
No contraceptive, Emergency Contraception included, is 100% effective. So pregnancy is always possible, though I would say unlikely in the scenario you present.
I assume since you used emergency contraception you did not plan on having intercourse. This time while you are waiting for your period might be a good time to make some clear headed decisions about your plans for the future. We receive so many questions from women concerned they may be pregnant, even ones using the most effective contraceptives available. From my perspective receiving such questions, I conclude that when pregnancy would be very inconvenient, usually because we are not married to the baby’s father, even the most effective contraceptives do not free us from the ever present anxiety over “what if”. Pregnancies do occur with all contraceptives. It seems wise, and so much less stressful, to refrain from sex until you are in a position to accept the pregnancy that may result, and this time of waiting to find out if you are pregnant or not may be a good time to consider that option for the future
I wish you the best!
The EC has three mechanisms of action, just like the pill:
1) Emergency Contraception can stop the ovary from releasing an egg
2) Emergency Contraception can make the mucus in the cervix thick so sperm have more difficulty penetrating, and
3) Emergency Contraception changes the lining of the uterus so that a fertilized egg can’t attach.
So to answer your question the best I can, unless you are observing and charting your cycle to know when you ovulated, it is not possible for me to advise if it was a fertile day or not. The first two mechanisms of emergency contraception listed above would prevent pregnancy, the third mechanism is post-fertilization, not allowing the pregnancy to proceed to the implantation phase.
No contraceptive, Emergency Contraception included, is 100% effective. So pregnancy is always possible, though I would say unlikely in the scenario you present.
I assume since you used emergency contraception you did not plan on having intercourse. This time while you are waiting for your period might be a good time to make some clear headed decisions about your plans for the future. We receive so many questions from women concerned they may be pregnant, even ones using the most effective contraceptives available. From my perspective receiving such questions, I conclude that when pregnancy would be very inconvenient, usually because we are not married to the baby’s father, even the most effective contraceptives do not free us from the ever present anxiety over “what if”. Pregnancies do occur with all contraceptives. It seems wise, and so much less stressful, to refrain from sex until you are in a position to accept the pregnancy that may result, and this time of waiting to find out if you are pregnant or not may be a good time to consider that option for the future
I wish you the best!
Answered By:
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