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Family planning

Worried about advice I have been given on morning after pill...

13 replies

MissLx · 12/02/2013 16:36

First post, hello!

I recently had a slight accident with my partner, I can't take birth control pills as my body doesn't seem to agree with any I have tried so am stuck to the simple old male protection method.

I went into a very well known store to buy the morning after pill and was told I needed to speak with someone, which was fine.

She asked me when I had sex, which was the Friday and then asked me when my last period was which was the Wednesday/Thursday.

This is when I was refused the morning after pill as I had had sex in the 'safe period' and didnt need it so off I should go. She said there is no need to take it as I cannot be pregnant.

A quick google search showed me plenty of women claiming to have become pregnant from sex a day after their period.

Is this right? I'm a bit dazed and confused if I'm honest as to which is correct :/

OP posts:
SamSmalaidh · 12/02/2013 16:40

There are safer periods of your cycle but no "safe" period, as sperm can live for a few days and eggs can be released early/late/2 at a time. This seems like really odd advice for the pharmacist (?) to give you.

purpleroses · 12/02/2013 16:44

I think you're safe if your cycle is really regular and always at least 3 weeks, but not if it varies and is sometimes less.

MissLx · 12/02/2013 16:45

Thats what i thought after reading online, It was in boots, I assume it was the pharmacist I saw, she was rambling on about ovulation and that I wouldn't have ovulated yet so will not be pregnant. It's too late for me to take it now as at first I stupidly believed her and carried on untill I started to think about it again today and thought I best check online :/

OP posts:
KatherineKrupnik · 12/02/2013 16:48

I would complain. That's terrible.

MissLx · 12/02/2013 16:49

I have irregular periods and I even told her this that I can wait anything between 3-5 weeks for my period

:(

OP posts:
SamSmalaidh · 12/02/2013 16:49

You are very unlikely to be pregnant, but I'm surprised she wouldn't give it to you just in case! I would contact Boots about it and ask if they have a policy.

lubeybooby · 12/02/2013 16:51

If you can't tolerate the pill then the MAP probably wasn't for you anyway (though the pharmacist was out of order)

If you can get to the doctors or a family planning clinic either tonight (call for emergency appointment) or tomorrow (same) then you might be able to get an emergency IUS or IUD fitted (mirena or copper coil)

PacificDogwood · 12/02/2013 16:53

Pharmacists tend to work to very strict/narrow protocols which allow them to dispense emergency contraception.
I'd agree if you have a regular cycle then you are extremely unlikely to have ovulated in the time period you may have had unprotected intercourse.

If you are unhappy with the advice given, maybe contact a Family Planning Clinic for advice. A dr may be able to assess you further and prescribe outwith narrow guideline if that seems appropriate.

Wrt the pill not agreeing with you, you do know that there are other methods out there - you are not just left with 'pill' or 'condom'.

MissLx · 12/02/2013 17:06

I know there are other methods to use however that's a whole other conversation right there as I went for months seeing doctors/nurses about whenever I am taking any kind of hormone it would give me pain and discomfort almost like constant UTI symptoms, no doctor believed me. So I have up with them altogether as I was sick of being looked at like I was making it up! So chose condoms which has worked for the last year, minus this blip.


I have considered the copper coil before, I might get myself down to the family planning in town tomorro and ask, how long do I have to get that?

OP posts:
lubeybooby · 12/02/2013 17:10

I think going by what you have said it needs to be tonight or possibly tomorrow, it's five or six days for emergency IUS/IUD - good luck

MissLx · 12/02/2013 17:29

It will have to be tomorrow it's my mums birthday tonight, thanks everyone hopefully it is all fine :) just made redundant and becoming pregnant wouldn't be ideal right now!

OP posts:
PacificDogwood · 12/02/2013 17:51

Copper coil works as emergency contraception for 5 days after UPSI.
And it's a great method of contraception avoiding all hormones - I love mine Grin.
Good luck tomorrow - and happy birthday to your mum Smile!

scaevola · 12/02/2013 18:10

Well, if your LMP started on Wed/Thurs, then it is very, very rare to become PG on CD 2-3. But if e pharmacist didn't also ask about your cycle length, then it does seem they were being too cavalier.

That said, if you went in today, you'd have been pushing right up at the 72 hour limit and combined with poor tolerance of hormones (if you'd thrown it up, you'd probably have been over time), so the coil does look like the better solution anyhow. I hope it goes well, and if you get on well for it then it might prove a better contraception for you in the longer run.

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