What Causes Delayed Periods After Taking Emergency Contraceptive Pill?

Posted on Fri, 17 Oct 2014

Question: Hi, My wife and i had sex on 29th August 2014, but within 2 hours she took the Take action EC pill. However, after 4-5 days she experienced some light bleeding which turns into pinkish colur and later into Brown discharge. She last got her period on 20th August 2014 so she was due on 18th or 19th September for her period but her periods are still not coming. However, she took HPT test on 19th and 20th of august and they both Came out negative. Are these results Accurate or is she pregnant?

Answered by Dr. Dalia Muraleedharan (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Dont worry..

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing..
I understand your concern..

Get a pregnancy test now.. EC pills reduces the chance of pregnancy by 89%.

EC pills containing levonorgestrel has many side effects which include intermenstrual spotting and delayed periods. It returns to normal after this cycle. So you need not worry..

If pregnancy test is negative,wait for one more week for spontaneous onset of menstruation. If no periods after 1 weeks, get a pregnancy test repeated and take progesterone tablet for 5 days. You will get periods in 1 week after stoppage of tablets.

Repeated use of EC pills is not advisable.. Take an alternate contraceptive measure to prevent pregnancy like condoms, OCP's or IUD..

Hope I have answered your query. Feel free to ask any doubts.. Good day..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dalia Muraleedharan (21 minutes later)

Is she pregnant

Answered by Dr. Dalia Muraleedharan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for writing..

Get a urine pregnancy test with early morning urine sample to know the pregnancy status. 2 lines indicates positive pregnancy..

Feel free to ask any doubts.. Good day..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj