What can I expect after the emergency contraceptive pill?

Hi,
Welcome to ehealthforum,
If semen or pre-cum has dripped to vagina, chances of pregnancy could be possible (if egg had been present in your system around time of sexual contact). After ovulation, the egg is alive for about 24-48 hours after which it disintegrates. However, sperms can stay alive for 3-5 days if fertile mucus is present. If you have taken the emergency contraceptive within 48-72 hours of the unprotected sexual intercourse, it should work in preventing pregnancy (provided you were not sexually active without protection after taking it). Withdrawal bleeding usually occurs within 5-7 days of taking ECP indicating that it has worked (which may not occur if taken close to period). Since the pills contain high doses of hormones, these can disrupt the normal hormonal and period pattern causing period/bleeding abnormalities and appearance of new symptoms. Wait and watch for your next periods which can be delayed. Look out for development of any other new symptoms if pregnancy is suspected. If pregnancy is suspected, or if you miss your periods, or if you have abnormal periods, consider visiting your doctor/gynecologist at the earliest for thorough examination (to confirm pregnancy related changes/signs in body) and blood/serum HCG level test (to confirm/rule out pregnancy accurately). If pregnancy gets ruled out, and if you are not ready for pregnancy, but intend to remain sexually active, you should consider getting started on suitable regular birth control measures to be protected (after your periods). Avoid unprotected sexual contact within 2-3 weeks of getting started on hormonal contraceptive (as most of the hormonal contraceptives start giving you effective protection after 2-3 weeks). Be regular with birth control use as instructed. Avoid having unprotected sexual contact if you are not ready for pregnancy.
Take care.