Many people know Postinor 2 as a pill used to prevent pregnancy. But if you are wondering whether there’s a possibility that one can still get pregnant after taking Postinor 2, this article is for you.

Key Points:

Postinor 2 (a morning-after pill) works by delaying ovulation to prevent pregnancy.
If ovulation has already occurred, Postinor 2 may not be effective in preventing pregnancy.
One can get pregnant after taking Postinor 2 if the pill was not taken the right way and within the safe hours (between 24 – 72 hours after unprotected sex).
It is estimated that Postinor-2 will prevent 85% of expected pregnancies. 95% of expected pregnancies will be prevented if taken within the first 24 hours, declining to 58% if taken between 48 hours and 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
The only way to know if the Postinor 2 worked is if your next period arrives when it should.
Taking Postinor 2 multiple times in a menstrual cycle can disrupt your menstrual cycle and may not be as effective as regular contraception.
Talk to a certified Gynaecologist if you have questions and concerns you want addressed by an expert.

*****

Can I get pregnant after taking Postinor 2? — *Credit: Canva*

Betty called her doctor early on Monday morning, her emotions had gotten the better part of her the previous night, and she wasn’t ready to have a baby.

“Hello Doctor Angela, I need your help!”

“Yes, Betty. What’s the matter?”

“I slept with my boyfriend last night without protection, and I’m not ready for a baby yet. My friend told me to take Postinor 2, but I don’t know how effective it will be.”

“I don’t want a baby now. I can’t afford to have a baby at this point in my life”, she said with tears.

“Alright Betty. Relax. Firstly, you need to know a few things about Postinor 2.”

So, in the next 5 minutes, Doctor Angela went ahead to educate Betty on this emergency pill, how it works and if one can still get pregnant after taking Postinor 2.

In the following paragraphs, we share everything Doctor Angela told Betty, so you are better informed about Postinor 2.

What is Postinor-2?

Postinor-2 also known as the morning-after pill is an emergency contraceptive, in the form of a tablet, which is to be taken within 72 hours in the case of unprotected sexual intercourse to prevent pregnancy. It is not guaranteed that Postinor-2 will be effective if taken more than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.

Postinor 2 stops pregnancy by preventing or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary (i.e. it prevents ovulation). It does this with the help of a hormone called Levonorgestrel, which can also be found in many other contraceptives.

But the big question often asked is: Can I get Pregnant after taking Postinor 2?

Let’s first analyse how Postinor 2 affects menstruation, which is the main system in females that coordinates ovulation and conception.

Side effects of Postinor 2 on Menstruation

Although the World Health Organization affirms that Postinor-2 is safe for preventing pregnancy, it’s not to be taken regularly.

The medication is meant to serve as an emergency for those occasions when you forget to use a condom.

Now, what happens to your menstrual cycle when you take this pill?

A woman’s menstrual cycle usually lasts around 28 days, on average, from the start of one period to the beginning of the next.

A recent study was carried out to determine the regularity of the menstrual cycle after taking Postinor 2, and a change was discovered in the cycle length (+/- 2 days) and menstrual period duration (+/- 1 day) in women taking the pill.

What caused this change? The hormonal change that the pill initiates to prevent pregnancy is usually what is responsible for this alteration.

Furthermore, the exact effect of Postinor-2 on your period depends on when you take it during your monthly cycle.

Taking it within the first three weeks might make your period come earlier.
If taken in the fourth week, your period may still arrive on time but last longer.
If taken close to ovulation, your cycle might not change much.
You might also experience more or less pain during your period.

But if your period is more than a week late, it’s wise to take a pregnancy test to make sure the pill worked. Understanding these effects can help you make informed choices about your reproductive health and contraception options.

Remember, the morning-after pill is a reliable form of emergency contraception, but it’s not intended to replace regular birth control methods.

Other side effects of Postinor 2 include:

nausea
vomiting
headache
tiredness
dizziness

How and when should I take Postinor 2?

Postinor 2 should be taken according to specific instructions. It comes in two white round tablets, each containing 0.75mg of levonorgestrel and other active ingredients. Here are two ways to take it:

1. Take both tablets at the same time, ideally within 12 hours of unprotected sex, and no later than 72 hours. If you vomit within three hours of taking the first dose, you can take two more tablets immediately.

2. Another way is to take one tablet immediately after unprotected sex, then wait 12 hours before taking the second tablet. Make sure you do not exceed the 12-hour mark. You can also set an alarm to help you remember.

Is it possible to get pregnant after taking Postinor 2?

The short answer is Yes, you can get pregnant after taking Postinor 2.

A 2005 study reveals that some women who took Postinor 2 as an emergency contraceptive pill ended up having ectopic pregnancies. But among women who had not used emergency contraceptive pills, the chance that a pregnancy will be ectopic was estimated at 0.8% to 2% of all reported pregnancies.

Ectopic pregnancy, also known as extrauterine pregnancy, is a life-threatening condition in which the fertilised egg implants outside the uterus.

The fertilised egg can’t survive outside the uterus. If left to grow, it may damage nearby organs and cause loss of blood which could lead to death.

What can make you get pregnant after taking Postinor 2?

Like we have established already, one can get pregnant after taking Postinor 2 and below are the main reasons:

1. Ovulation happened before you took the pill:

Emergency birth control is all about timing. It’s recommended that you take the pill as soon as you can—if you wait too long, you might miss the window during which the pill can be effective (within 72 hours).

Before taking Postinor 2 or any other emergency contraception pill, it’s important to know whether or not you have ovulated. If you take the pill soon after unprotected sex, it can stop you from ovulating if you haven’t already.

However, if you’ve already ovulated, the pill may not be effective. Although some studies say that Postinor 2 (when taken after ovulation) may interfere with the transport of eggs and sperm, there is no guarantee that it can stop fertilisation from taking place.

More so, if you have unprotected sex again in the same cycle after taking the pill, it might not work. Therefore, it’s safer to use a condom if you have sex again.

2. The morning-after pill is more effective for some body types:

Healthcare providers use the Body Mass Index (BMI) scale to group people based on their height and weight.

Research suggests that emergency contraceptive pills may be less effective for people with a BMI of 30 or higher (overweight or obese). This means they might have a higher chance of becoming pregnant even after taking the pill as compared to those with a BMI of 25 or less. However, having a BMI of 30 or higher doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take emergency contraception.

BMI doesn’t take into account factors like age, sex, muscle mass, and overall health. It also doesn’t distinguish between lean body mass and fat mass, so athletes with low body fat can still have a high BMI.

If your BMI is 25 or higher, consider talking to a licensed doctor about getting a prescription for the antiprogestin emergency contraceptive pill, as it might offer better pregnancy prevention for your body type.
If your BMI is 30 or higher, discuss options with a Gynaecologist, such as using an IUD for emergency contraception.
If you can’t access a doctor, taking an over-the-counter progestin emergency contraceptive pill is better than doing nothing. But with KompleteCare, a qualified doctor is just a call away!

Other emergency contraception options

Apart from Postinor 2, there are other birth control methods that are very efficient. Some of these options you may want to explore include:

Vaginal ring

Vaginal rings contain hormones similar to the combined pill – oestrogen and progestogen. It slowly releases these hormones into the bloodstream through the vagina.

It works by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg each month and is over 99% effective when used correctly. However, some medications and natural therapies might affect its effectiveness.

Vaginal rings are available on prescription and are self-inserted, staying in the vagina for 3 weeks. After that, you remove it and wait 7 days before inserting a new one. Your period usually occurs during this break, but you can skip it by immediately inserting a new ring.

Apart from contraception, the vaginal ring can also help treat conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding, acne, PCOS, and endometriosis.

Note : If you’re breastfeeding, you can’t use the vaginal ring until your baby is 6 weeks old. If you are a new mum, it’s generally not recommended until your baby is 3-6 weeks old.

Remember, the vaginal ring doesn’t protect against STIs, so use barrier protection like condoms during sex.

IUD

An Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small contraceptive device placed in your uterus. It’s a Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC) method and comes in two types:

1. Copper IUD (Cu-IUD): Lasts 5 to 10 years.

2. Hormone-releasing IUD: Lasts 5 years.

An IUD prevents sperm from reaching and fertilising an egg, and alters the lining of your uterus so a fertilised egg can’t implant and start a pregnancy.

The copper IUD can also be used as emergency contraception, serving as an alternative to the morning-after pill.

Removal of an IUD is simple and won’t affect your chances of getting pregnant in the future.

While the copper IUD may increase menstrual flow, the hormonal IUD can make periods lighter or even stop them altogether.

IUDs are safe during breastfeeding and aren’t affected by other medications.

Permanent methods of birth control and contraception:

Vasectomy, also known as sterilisation or ‘the snip,’ is a simple procedure usually performed under local anaesthesia. It entails cutting the tubes that transport sperm from the testes to the penis.

While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, it may take about 3 months for it to become fully effective, meaning no sperm will be present in the semen. During this period, it’s important to use another form of contraception and have sperm tests with your doctor.

Tubal ligation, often referred to as ‘having your tubes tied,’ is typically done as a laparoscopic procedure under general anaesthesia.

During the procedure, a surgeon places a clip on each fallopian tube to prevent sperm and egg from meeting. In some cases, the fallopian tubes may be removed instead of clipped.

It’s important to note that your ovaries and menstrual cycle are not affected by this procedure.

How Telemedicine and Telehealth can help

Remember that everything you are learning here was the conversation between Betty and her doctor. That is Telemedicine at work!

Emergency contraception is designed for urgent situations, and telemedicine offers a convenient way to access a doctor quickly, easily and from the comfort of your phone. You don’t have to visit your doctor’s office to get medical advice or a prescription for emergency contraception.

Like Betty did, consultations can be conducted through your smartphone via video or voice calls, and the prescription can be sent to you online.

Most medical services, including discussions about emergency contraception, can be accessed with trust and confidentiality through telemedicine. Talk to a doctor about the best option for you, how to take it, the correct dosage, potential side effects, and ways to manage them.

Why talk to a doctor on KompleteCare before and after taking Postinor 2?

If you are in-between choices of the perfect birth control methods for you, or even if you have taken Postinor 2 already and you need guidance on what’s next, it’s advisable to speak with a qualified gynaecologist at KompleteCare to get a personalised effective prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions about Postinor 2

What are the chances of getting pregnant after taking postinor-2?

1. How do you know if postinor-2 has worked?

The only way to know if the emergency contraceptive has been effective at preventing pregnancy is if your next period arrives when it should. The morning after pill works by delaying ovulation so that you don’t release an egg for the remaining sperm in your system to fertilise

2. What are signs of pregnancy after taking Postinor 2?

If someone experiences early signs of pregnancy, they may notice:

– Light spotting instead of a regular period.

– Changes in vaginal discharge, especially if it differs from their usual discharge.

– Nausea.

– Dizziness.

– A rapid heart rate.

– Increased urination.

– Fatigue.

3. Why did I get pregnant after taking Postinor 2?

If ovulation occurs during that time you took the pill, there’s a possibility of the sperm and egg meeting and resulting in pregnancy. Morning-after pills function by temporarily stopping ovulation. However, if your ovary has already released an egg, the emergency contraception won’t prevent pregnancy.

4. Can Postinor 2 fail during ovulation?

Morning-after pills like Postinor 2 are designed to delay ovulation which is preventing the release of an egg. If ovulation has already occurred, the pill won’t be effective in preventing pregnancy. However, determining whether you’re ovulating can be challenging..

5. What happens if I take Postinor 2 three times in a month?

If you take Postinor 2 more than once in a month, it can disrupt your menstrual cycle and may lead to irregularities in your period. Additionally, using Postinor 2 multiple times within a short period of time is not as effective as using regular methods of contraception

6. What will come out after taking Postinor 2?

After taking Postinor 2, you may experience bleeding, spotting, or irregularities in your menstrual cycle. These are common side effects of the pill and may include a delayed period.

Conclusion

It is important to make the right decision about contraception based on reliable information and guidance from qualified healthcare professionals. Understanding how emergency contraception works and its limitations and possible side effects can empower you to choose the best option for your reproductive health needs.

Speak to a Certified Gynaecologist on the phone using KompleteCare today.

REFERENCES

How to Take Postinor 2 – KompleteCare. 2024, https://blog.kompletecare.com/how-to-take-postinor-2/.

Major Side Effects of Postinor-2 On Menstruation. 2023. https://blog.kompletecare.com/side-effects-of-postinor-2-on-menstruation/.

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2018. https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Emergency-Contraception

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. About Adult BMI,2017 https://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/adult_bmi/index.html