Have questions about the menstrual period and having sex, but there is concern about whether you might be pregnant. Some people wonder why ask about something unlikely, but it’s a question worth answering clearly. Let’s look at the Q&A.
Question: Had sex when the period was almost over, meaning there was only a little period left, after taking emergency contraceptive pills. Ejaculated outside, did not use a condom. After having sex, there was a little blood like a period. Now it’s been 3-4 weeks, and the period hasn’t come. Is there a chance of being pregnant?
Answer: This question requires understanding 2-3 issues.
The first issue is having sex when the period is almost over, but mentioning there was very little bleeding and not stating how many days after taking the emergency contraceptive the bleeding occurred. Very little bleeding is likely not a period. Many people experience bleeding about 7 days after taking this pill, which is a common side effect and is usually spotting. If you have sex during this time, it’s not the menstrual period, and ovulation may occur during or after this time.
The second issue is having a little bleeding after sex, which likely means there was already some bleeding, so it’s not abnormal. However, if there is a lot of bleeding, abdominal pain, continuous bleeding, or yellowish discharge, these are abnormal symptoms. Please see a doctor to find the cause for appropriate treatment.
The third issue is that it’s been 3-4 weeks, and the period hasn’t come. Will you be pregnant? After taking emergency contraceptive pills, the next period may come on time, later, or 1-2 days earlier, but not more than a week. The amount of period may increase, and the duration may shorten. Therefore, after taking the pill, the period should come within 3-4 weeks.
In summary, there is a chance of being pregnant. Please take a urine pregnancy test.
Question: Had sex on the last day of the period, which is the period from taking birth control pills. Did not use a condom, ejaculated outside. Is there a chance of being pregnant?
Answer: Before answering whether you can be pregnant, let’s understand 2-3 issues first.
The first issue is that women should thoroughly understand their own period. The true menstrual blood is a relatively large or heavy flow, red in color. If it’s unlikely, it’s light bleeding, spotting, brown or pink. The cause may be ovulation, taking birth control pills, abnormal cervix, vaginal infection, etc. If the bleeding doesn’t fit the menstrual category, it may not be safe to have sex.
The second issue is that women who have sex on the last days of their period can get pregnant. This is found in people whose period comes every 21-24 days, which is a shorter cycle than the general 28-30 days. This causes ovulation to occur earlier, around the 10th-12th day of the cycle. Sperm can live in the fallopian tube for 2-3 days up to 5 days. Therefore, if the period lasts 5-7 days and you have sex on the last day of the period (which is the 7th day), the sperm can live long enough to meet the egg that ovulates on the 10th day (4 days apart), so fertilization may occur.
The third issue is that people who take monthly birth control pills with 21 or 28 tablets have hormones that inhibit ovulation throughout the first 21 days of taking the pill. After that, there will be a period, making it impossible for ovulation to occur during the period. But the important thing is to take the pill correctly and completely (Perfect), meaning not forgetting to take it, taking it on time every day that month and every subsequent month. The pill can be 98-99% effective in preventing pregnancy. But if you don’t take the pill completely or on time, it will only prevent pregnancy 91% of the time.
In summary, the answer is definitely not pregnant, provided that you take the pill correctly and consistently throughout. This ensures continuous pregnancy prevention, including having sex during the period. As long as you take the pill correctly and start a new pack, there will be no gap in pregnancy prevention. If you’re worried or unsure because sometimes there might be very little bleeding unlike a normal period, take a urine test to see if you’re pregnant.
Finally, Uncle Doctor wants you to use condoms too, to prevent diseases.
With love and care,
Uncle Doctor Ruangkit Sirikanchanakul