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How Long Is I-pill Effective?

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Posted on Fri, 31 Jul 2015
Question: Dear sir, madam
My girlfriend took an ipill on the 4th of July at 7 in the evening. But we again had unprotected sex on the 9th evening. Will the contraceptive still work, kindly advise as I do not wish her to take a contraceptive again.

Regards
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
NO NEED TO REPEAT THE IPILL AT ALL. WAIT FOR MENSES..AVOID SEX.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query to HCM,

Ideally after an ipill within 72 hrs of intercourse, the next 72 hrs are also protected and there is actually no requirement for taking another pill at all. The high dose ipill generally initiates a withdrawal bleed within next 7 days. so considering that you have taken it on 4th july then by 11th you should be experiencing a withdrawal and as you have had sex today evening, the endometrium is still under the effect of progesterone withdrawal and may shed anytime and hence there is no real need to repeat the medication.
You may however watch for next few days for the bleeding to start.
Avoid sex completely till your bleeding resumes as it would add to confusion further.
Once the bleeding is initiated, it shall ensure that you are pregnancy safe.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sameer Kumar (41 hours later)
Sir,
We had protected sex onthe 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. And the bleeding has not started as yet also. Does you're prognosis still stand? Kindly advise.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
answered

Detailed Answer:
If the periods are not resumed in next 3 days then she should get a serum beta hcg test done to rule out any pregnancy. If the test is negative the an ultrasound transvaginally would be required for endometrial thickness which if more than 10mm and/or there is a decidual reaction ( which can indicate pregnancy).
So if hcg test is negative then pregnancy is ruled out and the best way would be then to safely wait for return of menses else dilatation and curettage would have to be done to remove the endometrium.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sameer Kumar (13 minutes later)
Sir,
72 hours since last unprotected sex are getting over on 12th, day after. Should an ipill be taken if bleeding does not initiate till then.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sameer Kumar (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
answered

Detailed Answer:
As the last pill was taken on 4th and still unprotected sex was experienced on 9th , the effectiveness of the previous pill now would be low by 50 % . you can take another ipill, just to be sure but it is likely that the menses would be again delayed .
Still it is better to get a serum beta hcg test to rule out any pregnancy from your previous unprotected sexual encounter on 4th july.
Regards
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sameer Kumar

OB and GYN Specialist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 1780 Questions

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How Long Is I-pill Effective?

Brief Answer: NO NEED TO REPEAT THE IPILL AT ALL. WAIT FOR MENSES..AVOID SEX. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for the query to HCM, Ideally after an ipill within 72 hrs of intercourse, the next 72 hrs are also protected and there is actually no requirement for taking another pill at all. The high dose ipill generally initiates a withdrawal bleed within next 7 days. so considering that you have taken it on 4th july then by 11th you should be experiencing a withdrawal and as you have had sex today evening, the endometrium is still under the effect of progesterone withdrawal and may shed anytime and hence there is no real need to repeat the medication. You may however watch for next few days for the bleeding to start. Avoid sex completely till your bleeding resumes as it would add to confusion further. Once the bleeding is initiated, it shall ensure that you are pregnancy safe. Regards