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Can Contraceptive Pills Be Taken Immediately After Unprotected Intercourse?

Posted on Tue, 1 Sep 2015

Question: Hi Doctor,

I am from XXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXX a mother of 1 year 6 months child and working professional. I had been hearing from relatives,colleagues and friends about contraceptive pills.I wasn't sure on what it is and how it works.Neither my husband knows anything about it.How ever,I would like to have clarifications for below questions;

a)Does it need to be taken immediately after unprotected intercourse?
b) How many days it should be taken?
c) Can we purchase over the counter or we consult a doctor before using it?

Please share your advice.

Regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Soumya (41 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Contraceptive pills & IUCD

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query.

I have read you query and I understand your concerns about contraceptive pills.

Following is my reply:

1) Contraceptive pills are not of mainly 2 types: emergency pills and regular contraceptive pills.

2) Emergency contraceptive pills need to be taken within 72 hiurs of intercourse. These are one time only. These are not recommended repeated intake or long term contraception.

3) Other type is regular contraceptive pill which can be used for 21 days ( pack contains 21 pills) in a cycle to have contraceptive benefit. These are for long term use. There are many brands available in market as eg. Ovral, XXXXXXX etc..

4) Another option than pills is to use IUCD like copper T which is one time insertion and need not be changed for 10 years.

I hope I answered you query and addressed your concerns.

Let me know if you wish to ask any further questions. I will be glad to help you.

Regards,
Dr. Soumya

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (30 hours later)

Hello Doctor XXXXXXX

Thank you for providing the clarification.

How ever,I have another question to ask hope you dont mind if I be little XXXXXXX As stated earlier on my message am a mother of 1 year and 6 months old kid.Myself and my husband are working in different shift timings.He works at night and I work in day timings.The possibility of we spending time together are very less and its has decreased even further after having a child.Living in to this fast moving world we have also become machines.

Having said these,I would like to share the unprotected contact me and my husband had last Saturday around 3 PM.Now,I am little scared if i become pregnant again my routine will be disrupted.I am still feeding my son.And,we haven't expressed the affection completely on our first child yet.Hence,I thought of taking a contraceptive pill.but,not sure what effects i may have in future.

Would it be advisable to take one now? if yes, what would that be emergency or regular pill.?

Could you please prescribe one of it?

Please bear with me for expressing it only now. As,I wasn't that comfortable to share before.

Regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Soumya (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can take emergency pill

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

When you are feeding, there are less chances of pregnancy as feeding itself acts as a contraception.

You can take an emergency contraceptive pill now. It might alter your periods. However i may not be able to prescribe the pill but ipill is a brand which is commonly available in pharmacies is XXXXXXX You can try to get one.

I am happy to answer your questions. Feel free to ask any number of questions.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (5 hours later)

Hello Dr XXXXXXX

Thank you for enhancing my understanding with your answers.

I have tried for Ipill in a pharmacy at our locality.Unfortunately,it doesn't seem to be available anywhere.Instead,they said postpone 72 a tablet which is with same combination of ipill.Can I go ahead and take that?

Please advise.

Regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Soumya (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You can take unwanted 72

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Check if postpone 72 has Levonorgestrel as content. If yes, you can take it.

Let me know if you need anymore help.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (36 hours later)

Hello Doctor XXXXXXX

Good Morning

Based on your clarification and advice,I had taken postpone 72(levenorgestrel)on monday night around 11 PM.

Most of the description available in a piece of paper inside the tablet box speaks about its effectiveness if its taken within 12-24 hours.

Where as I had taken it around 56th hour(actual contact happened at 3 PM last saturday) of unprotected contact with my husband.

Now, I am even more confused after reading it.

Would it work even if its taken on 56th Hour?or do you want me consult a doctor immediately.

Please advice.

Regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Soumya (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This will work

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

It works if taken within 72 hours. That's why it has 72 in its name.

No need to consult doctor.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Soumya (13 days later)

Hello Dr XXXXXXX

Good Morning

Its been a long time that I haven't discussed anything related to my queries with you.The reason being,I was waiting to see whether the postpone-72 taken has worked.

Unfortunately,to my XXXXXXX I have not experienced any symptoms that explains the result.Its been almost two weeks.My regular cycle is due to happen on 10 or 12th of every month and even that hasn't happened so far.

I am little worried and getting stressed.Not sure,what to do next?

Can you please share your suggestions and clarification for me overcome this scenario?

Regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Soumya (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Delayed periods

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

This tablet delays periods. Moreover there is irregular and delayed periods during breast feeding baby.

I don't think this is likely to be pregnancy. This is just delayed periods. Wait without any medicines and you will get periods.

Let me know if you need any more clarification.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar