Patient's question:
On the 18th of last month, I had my period. The first day after my period ended, I had sex. Afterwards, I took emergency contraception. A week later, I had another period. It hasn't come this month yet. Could I be pregnant?Doctor's answer:
Hello! It's possible for your period not to come after taking birth control pills, which is a normal phenomenon. You don't need to worry at first. If it's within 72 hours after the event, taking emergency contraception pills can be effective with a success rate of 95%. Emergency contraception pills can delay the next menstrual cycle due to their effects on inhibiting and delaying ovulation and suppressing the endometrium. Additionally, birth control pills should not be taken excessively, as they can cause menstrual irregularities, but it may take 2-3 months for your cycle to return to normal. Generally, you can take birth control pills a maximum of three times a year. Long-term use of birth control pills can have certain side effects on your body.I recommend maintaining a positive mood and waiting for a few more days. If your period still hasn't come after more than 10 days, you should visit a hospital for a check-up to identify the cause and decide whether treatment is necessary.
However, under normal circumstances, because long-acting birth control pills contain a larger dosage and work by inhibiting ovulation to achieve contraception, the effects can still linger even after stopping the medication. This can disrupt ovulation. Since menstruation occurs when an egg isn't fertilized and the endometrium sheds, the lingering effects of the birth control pills after stopping can prevent ovulation and, consequently, the onset of menstruation.