What Causes Red Spotting And Abdominal Cramps After Taking I Pill?
Posted on Wed, 30 Apr 2014
104514
Question: Hello Doctor, I had unprotected sex with my husband on 3rd Apr, my last mensuration date was 17th March. I took an ipill within two hours of intercourse. Now today, after six days, I noticed pale red spotting and having abdominal cramps that lasted through out the evening. Could I be pregnant or experiencing withdrawal spotting? I observed the spotting after urination and washing (not significant to be noticeable at all)
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer given
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM.
I am Dr Madhuri a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist and will be helping you with your queries.
It seems that you had an unprotected sexual episode on day 18 of your menstrual cycle and took I pill within 2 hours.
Now there is spotting on day 6.
Even though the timing of sexual contact was at the fertile period [ if you have regular cycles], the I pills protect. The bleeding that you are having now is most likely due to the pill. However sometimes in pregnancy light spotting may occur about 10-12 days after conception and is called implantation bleed. As this is happening on the 6th day after contact it is unlikely to be implantation bleed.
As of now please do not worry as the most likely explanation is the I pill. Just wait to see how this bleeding behaves. If there is bleeding like a period then no further worries. If the bleeding is just spotting then wait for your next period. Most likely they will be delayed due to the I pills.
If the periods come on time and are regular then there is no chance of pregnancy. If the periods are delayed wait for 3 weeks after the date of sexual contact meaning wait until 24 th April. If there are still no periods, then get a urine pregnancy test done.
Most likely you will get a delayed period or this bleeding may continue as a normal period. It is difficult to comment about the bleeding pattern with I pills. But they do provide protection very well if taken early [ as you have]. So there is no need to worry at all. Chances of pregnancy are miniscule and attributed to the failure rate of pills especially when taken late.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Hello Doctor, thanks for the detailed answer. However I still had pale red spotting today. Just put of curiosity how heavy is am implantation bleeding and how long does it continue. I am just tensed, because of the spotting today as well. I also had light cramps in the left side of the abdomen.
Brief Answer:
Do not worry so much.
Detailed Answer:
I can completely understand the stress. But please understand that there is no need. You have taken the I pill and also are having spotting most likely due to I pill. So just relax.
The amount of implantation bleed is variable. May vary from a few pads for 1-2 days to just only spotting. Usually there are no clots. However the timing is usually around closer to the next expected period.
Yours is occurring earlier from day 6 and there are light cramps. So it is unlikely to be implantation bleed. As of now there is no way to confirm that there is a pregnancy because it is too early. The only way to confirm pregnancy early is by a blood or urine test after 2-3 weeks from day of sexual episode.
In your case, pregnancy is unlikely. Just wait for you next period or until 3 weeks after the sexual episode and get a urine test [ with the first morning urine sample]. This will definitely rule out pregnancy. You may or may not get a period by then due to the I pill effect. So if the test is negative, just wait and periods will come.
Do not get stressed. Relax, as stress delays periods. You are most likely safe.
I am always here for any further queries so feel free to ask.
Dr Madhuri
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What Causes Red Spotting And Abdominal Cramps After Taking I Pill?
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer given
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM.
I am Dr Madhuri a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist and will be helping you with your queries.
It seems that you had an unprotected sexual episode on day 18 of your menstrual cycle and took I pill within 2 hours.
Now there is spotting on day 6.
Even though the timing of sexual contact was at the fertile period [ if you have regular cycles], the I pills protect. The bleeding that you are having now is most likely due to the pill. However sometimes in pregnancy light spotting may occur about 10-12 days after conception and is called implantation bleed. As this is happening on the 6th day after contact it is unlikely to be implantation bleed.
As of now please do not worry as the most likely explanation is the I pill. Just wait to see how this bleeding behaves. If there is bleeding like a period then no further worries. If the bleeding is just spotting then wait for your next period. Most likely they will be delayed due to the I pills.
If the periods come on time and are regular then there is no chance of pregnancy. If the periods are delayed wait for 3 weeks after the date of sexual contact meaning wait until 24 th April. If there are still no periods, then get a urine pregnancy test done.
Most likely you will get a delayed period or this bleeding may continue as a normal period. It is difficult to comment about the bleeding pattern with I pills. But they do provide protection very well if taken early [ as you have]. So there is no need to worry at all. Chances of pregnancy are miniscule and attributed to the failure rate of pills especially when taken late.
Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist