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What Are The Chances Of Pregnancy After Taking Plan B Within 36 Hours?

Posted on Tue, 23 Jun 2015

Question: On Sunday morning around 7am I was in bed with a man. He was inside me for a total of maybe 12-15 seconds and did not ejaculate. I took a Plan B within 4 hours of the entry and another Plan B 36 hours later (I know that this is not how the pill designed to be used.)
I have been having irregular periods since March. Twice a month; the first cycle occurs between the 4th-6th of each month and the second monthly cycle occurs between the 21st-25th of each month. I just finished my second monthly cycle on the 28th of May. I took a home pregnancy test yesterday and it came negative.
How often should I take a pregnancy test? Should I go see a doctor to see if I'm pregnant?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pregnancy can be detected after 2 weeks

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX I have gone through your question and understand your concerns. Unprotected intercourse can lead to pregnancy and since you have not taken plan B as directed, it's contraceptive efficacy is decreased and pregnancy can occur.
Pregnancy cannot be detected so early after conception, as you had intercourse on Sunday, and it was only3 days back. Pregnancy can be detected at least 13-14 days after conception by urine pregnancy test.
Since you are having irregular periods, your ovulation date is difficult to predict, and hence it would be difficult to determine exactly when the periods are expected.
I would suggest you to get a urine pregnancy test after at least 2 weeks from the date of intercourse.
If negative, then pregnancy is ruled out.
However, you can consult an OBGYN specialist to get properly examined, investigated and treated for irregular menstrual cycle, but detection of pregnancy is possible only after 10-12 days of conception even by the blood hCG levels.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma

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

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (6 minutes later)

Do you think that due to the lack of ejaculation pregnancy is a high risk? Would taking the first Plan B so soon after the entry have help the situation?

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Pregnancy can occur

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX thanks for responding. Sometimes, while withdrawing the penis, the ejaculation starts occurring and semen gets deposited around vagina. This can lead to pregnancy, however chances are low.
Taking plan B within24 hours of unprotected intercourse is shown to prevent pregnancy in 95% cases, however since you have taken two pills36 hours apart, rather than the advised 72 hours, the contraceptive efficacy is decreased.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma

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

Follow up: Dr. Deepti Verma (2 minutes later)

Are you saying that you are not allowed to take Plan B within 72 hours of each other? There is only one pill, and I bought another one.

Answered by Dr. Deepti Verma (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
plan B one step

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX plan B contains2 pills, while you might have taken plan B one step which contains only one pill. If you have taken plan B one step, then there is no need to worry as it does not needsto be rrepeated. And if you have repeated it after 36 hours, there is no harm.
Hope you found the answer helpful. Please do get back for further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards,
Dr Deepti Verma

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