Can The Plan B Pill Affect Your Period

Can The Plan B Pill Affect Your Period

All

Select the section you want to search in

All
Consumer
Professional
Pill ID
Interactions
News
FDA Alerts
Approvals
Pipeline
Clinical Trials
Care Notes
Natural Products

Browse all medications:

a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
0-9

Advanced Search

Medical Answers
Can Plan B make your period late or cause bleeding?

I accept the Terms and Privacy Policy

Select one or more newsletters to continue.

Ad Choices

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information.

Copyright © 2000-2022 Drugs.com. All rights reserved.

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD . Last updated on July 30, 2021.
Yes, Plan B ( levonorgestrel ) can delay your period or cause bleeding to occur outside of regular menstrual bleeding because levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone. To prevent pregnancy, Plan B, like other birth control pills, must alter your hormone levels, which can prompt these menstrual changes. Plan B is associated with more menstrual changes than regular birth control pills because the dosage is higher.
In a clinical trial, 31% of participants experienced some change in their menstrual cycle after taking Plan B, but the potential menstrual changes are varied. Plan B may cause some women to experience heavier or lighter menstrual bleeding compared to their regular periods.
After taking Plan B, some women get their period sooner than expected, while others get it later. However, clinical trial data suggest most women will get their period within two days to one week of the anticipated time. Women who take Plan B and experience a delay in their period greater than one week are recommended to take a pregnancy test.
During your menstrual cycle, the time at which Plan B is taken can affect how your menstruation changes.
Nonmenstrual bleeding, or spotting, can also occur after using Plan B. Clinical trial data show that 16% of participants experienced spotting in the first week after taking Plan B. Similarly, in one study of 232 women who took Plan B, just under 15% experienced spotting. In this study group, the bleeding typically started around 4 days after Plan B was takenand lasted an average of 2.4 days, with a range of one to seven days. Some women began spotting as early as 8 hours after taking Plan B.
Menstrual changes and irregular bleeding associated with Plan B should go away without treatment. In one study of 132 women, most women returned to their normal cycle length in the next cycle following the use of Plan B. However, those who took Plan B later on in their cycle (after ovulation) had a slightly longer next cycle on average.
The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Available for Android and iOS devices.
Subscribe to Drugs.com newsletters for the latest medication news, new drug approvals, alerts and updates.
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 5 July 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 27 June 2022), ASHP (updated 16 May 2022) and others.
Help support Drugs.com by allowing ads...

If you’re not using a regular method of contraception, you might consider doing so to protect yourself from an unintended pregnancy.
There are several methods of contraception that protect you for a long period, so you don’t have to think about them once they’re in place, or remember to use or take them every day or every time you have sex.
See a GP, nurse or visit your nearest sexual health clinic to discuss the options available.
“It is common for there to be unexpected or atypical bleeding after taking Plan B,” says Felice Gersh, MD , the medical director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine.
Around 15% of people experience bleeding right after taking Plan B, before their period starts. This means that you may have spots , but that your period doesn’t start right away.
In other cases, Plan B can trigger your period to come early , so bleeding may be a sign that it’s working, Gersh says.
Bleeding can start and stop any time in the first three weeks after taking Plan B. The length of your bleeding can vary, but it generally won’t last longer than a few days .
Plan B works by delivering a chemical called levonorgestrel, which mimics the hormones that control your menstrual cycle. Levonorgestrel can stop your ovaries from releasing an egg or stop a fertilized egg from implanting in your uterus.
Taking Plan B can cause bleeding because levonorgestrel changes the stability of the uterine lining that you shed during your period, which can lead to unexpected bleeding, Gersh says.
The intrauterine device is a small, T-shaped plastic and copper device that’s put into your womb by a doctor or nurse.
It releases copper to stop the egg implanting in your womb or being fertilised.
The IUD can be inserted up to 5 days after unprotected sex, or up to 5 days after the earliest time you could have ovulated , to prevent pregnancy.
You can also choose to have the IUD left in as an ongoing method of contraception.
Plan B, also called the morning-after pill, stops you from getting pregnant by interfering with your menstrual cycle. This means you might notice irregular bleeding after taking the pill. While some unexpected bleeding is normal, spotting can also be a sign of implantation, one of the early stages of pregnancy.7 days ago.
The short answer: probably not. The fact is, Plan B and other similar emergency contraceptive pills perform their function of preventing a pregnancy from occurring by changing your natural hormones. Plan B One Step is a POP, progestin-only pill containing 1.5 mg of Levonorgestrel. This is a high dosage of a hormone that basically disrupts the ovulation, fertilization and implantation of a pregnancy.
This changes the natural routine of your menstrual cycle and creates a different hormonal balance within your body. Most of the time this means that something about your period is going to be different from what you normally experience. These changes affect women differently, and studies have shown that the changes are greatly affected by what point during your menstrual cycle you take Plan B.
Should I expect to see bleeding right away?
First, let us clarify that there is a significant difference between emergency contraceptive pills such as Plan B and RU-486, the abortion pill. You wont see evidence of a terminated pregnancy like heavy bleeding after you take Plan B. In fact, if you are already pregnant when you take Plan B then you will still be pregnant afterward, because it only works to prevent implantation before pregnancy, but has no affect if you are already pregnant.
So, you should not expect to see bleeding right away unless you were due for your period anyway.
Will my period come at the same time it usually does?
Will my period be late after taking Plan B?
Methods for inducing a period Hormonal birth control. Using hormonal contraception, such as birth control pills or the ring, is the only reliable method of taking control of the menstrual cycle. Exercise. Gentle exercise may loosen the muscles and help a period come a little faster. Relaxation. Orgasm. Diet and weight.
Plan B is 95 percent effective if taken within a day after sex and 88 percent if taken between 3 days after. But theres always a slim chance it wont work.
If you take Plan B and your period is over a week late , theres a slight chance that you might be pregnant . Take a pregnancy test to play it safe.
If its been 2 weeks, your pregnancy odds are even greater and you should likewise take a test. If your pregnancy test is positive , visit a doctor or midwife to confirm your result and walk you through your options.
If youre not sure what stage of your cycle youre at or you have irregular periods , Planned Parenthood recommends waiting 3 weeks after taking Plan B before you take a pregnancy test.
Pregnancy tests measure the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin , which the body starts to produce a few days after conception. So if you take a test too early, it could show a false-negative result.
If your period is still MIA 2 months after taking Plan B, you could be pregnant . Its unlikely its the EC still messing with your cycle.
Take a pregnancy test and visit a doctor or midwife ASAP to know for sure.
Other things that can delay your period include:
The intrauterine device is a small, T-shaped contraceptive device made from plastic and copper. Its inserted into the uterus by a trained health professional. It may prevent an egg from implanting in your womb or being fertilised.
If youve had unprotected sex, the IUD can be inserted up to five days afterwards, or up to five days after the earliest time you could have ovulated, to prevent pregnancy. Its more effective at preventing pregnancy than the emergency pill, and it does not interact with any other medication.
You can also choose to have the IUD left in as an ongoing method of contraception.
Its normal to experience light bleeding, or spotting, after taking Plan B. Its usually nothing to worry about if it happens to you.
Spotting is a side effect of the extra hormones that the EC pill releases inside your body. But it can also be a sign of early pregnancy, so try to keep track of your menstrual cycle and take a pregnancy test if you feel unsure.
There are 2 types of emergency contraceptive pills commonly sold in the U.S.:
Editor’s note : Technically, a doctor could have you take higher doses of regular combination birth control pills as emergency contraception, something called the Yuzpe regimen. But that’s not as effective as the other 2 types listed above, and it brings with it more side effects. Additionally, the copper IUD could be inserted within 5 days as a form of emergency contraception.
Scientists have found that both Plan B One-Step that you can get over-the-counter, or the prescription for ella, are safe to use to prevent pregnancy. Any side effects that you have after taking either of the emergency contraceptive pills should be mild and short-term.
After you take emergency contraceptive pills, the most common side effect is – you guessed it – changes to your menstrual periods.
Here is a list of some possible side effects after using a “morning-after” pill like Plan B:
There are two types of emergency contraceptive pills , but you can expect these kinds of menstrual changes to happen after taking either of them:
Researchers at Princeton University looked at past studies and said that menstrual cycles could be shortened after taking Plan B, meaning that the time between now and when you get your next period could be shorter. When we talk menstrual cycles , we’re tracking the first day you get your period as day 1, up until the first day of your next period. Everyone’s different, but usually, you’d get your period every 28 days or so.
They also found even if Plan B didn’t shorten the time until your next cycle, it could cause your next period the following month to be longer.
In rare cases, bleeding after taking Plan B can be a sign of something more serious, especially if it comes with other symptoms like severe abdominal pain.
Generally, bleeding after Plan B shouldn’t last much longer than a week, so prolonged bleeding can be a sign of a problem.
It’s also concerning if your bleeding is too heavy, meaning you have to change your pad or tampon at least every two hours for longer than a day, Gersh says.
If you’re having any of these symptoms after taking Plan B, it’s best to see your gynecologist to make sure there isn’t a more serious issue.
Other symptoms that should raise an alarm include:
Also, if any of the normal side effects like nausea or cramping last more than a day or feel severe to you, it’s best to get medical attention, Gersh says.
You can delay your period with certain forms of hormonal birth control. But thats about all that will work.
Dont be fooled into thinking home remedies like drinking apple cider vinegar or lemon juice every day will help. None of these DIY home remedies will delay your period, says Sherry Ross , MD, an OB-GYN with her own private practice.
Therefore, if youve just noticed that you have a big day coming up that happens to fall on the same day as your period, here are two forms of hormonal medication that may help you.
If your pregnancy test is positive, its still a good idea to see your doctor to confirm the results. Its also an opportunity to begin a discussion about your options. If youre pregnant and want to continue the pregnancy, youll be able to get started on prenatal care right away.
If you decide that you dont want to continue with the pregnancy, your doctor can explain the different types of abortion available to you.
Alternatively, you can contact the nearest Planned Parenthood clinic to learn more. Legal options vary depending on where you live. The Guttmacher Institute provides the latest information about abortion laws in each state.
Plan B is an OTC medication. You can get it at most drugstores without seeing a doctor or getting a prescription.
You may need to take the emergency pill if you:
If you have taken Levonelle, then you should:
You should then continue taking your regular contraceptive pill as normal.
You will need to use additional contraception, such as condoms, for:
If you have taken ellaOne, you will need to wait at least five days before taking your next contraceptive pill, applying a new patch or inserting a new ring. You should then use additional contraception, such as condoms, while waiting to restart your contraceptive method and then for:
The effects of Plan B do not last long. It is recommended that you resume your normal birth control method immediately, as Plan B will not continue to protect against pregnancy. It is even possible to get pregnant within 24 hours after taking the pill, depending on your fertility factors, such as ovulation.
Monique Rainford, MD, is board-certified in obstetrics-gynecology, and currently serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale Medicine. She is the former chief of obstetrics-gynecology at Yale Health.
Plan B One-Step is an emergency contraceptive. Emergency contraceptives are used to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. Generic forms of Plan B include My Way , Take Action , and Next Choice One Dose .
Emergency contraception is safe and effective. Still, Plan B is controversial . Much of the debate is based on a misunderstanding about how Plan B works.
Some people believe Plan B prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. This belief is based on the product’s FDA labeling. Research, however, has not confirmed the information on the FDA label.
This article will discuss the controversy around the FDA labeling for Plan B. It will also look at what research says about how Plan B actually works.

Yes, if you dont want to get pregnant because there is a risk of pregnancy when youre on your period, to avoid getting pregnant you should begin taking long-term contraception.
If you need to get protection immediately the following contraceptives can be started straight away:
Protection against STDs matters too you also need protection from sexually transmitted diseases as well as getting pregnant. Barrier method contraceptives like condoms can help here.
What if Im sure Im not at risk of pregnancy? even if youve carefully planned your periods using the rhythm method, there is still a chance you could get pregnant, so we recommend using another method of contraception.
A: Its ideal to take Plan B One-Step® within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. You can take it up to five days after, but theres a higher failure rate the longer you wait. Ella® can be taken up to five days later without a drop-off in effectiveness.
The copper IUD can also be placed up to seven days later. The Yuzpe method is best used within three days of unprotected sex.
Experiencing vaginal bleeding after taking Plan B could be a sign that you aren’t pregnant. “You may experience bleeding similar to a period after taking Plan B, which may indicate that fertilization has not occurred,” notes Kakani.
Your cycle should also go back to normal soon. Most of the changes caused by emergency contraceptives like Plan B do not persist beyond one menstrual cycle .
If your period is over a week late after you’ve taken Plan B, there’s a chance that you may be pregnant , so consider taking a pregnancy test .
There are other options for emergency contraception that may be better for you. A copper IUD and the ‘day after’ pill called Ella are both non-hormonal and can last up to five days after unprotected sex. Ella has a weight limit of 190 lbs while the copper IUD works at all weights.
However, Ella does need a prescription and the copper IUD must be inserted by a medical professional. So, some people might choose Plan B and other levonorgestrel pills for quick availability and easy access.
The side effects of ECPs can include headaches, abdominal pain, breast tenderness, dizziness, and fatigue, nausea and vomiting . If youâre prone to nausea, it can be a good idea to take an ECP with an anti-nauseant medication. If you vomit within two hours of taking a ECP, talk to a healthcare provider, as you may need another dose. Side effects often go away after about a day. Side effects tend to be stronger in combined-hormone ECPs . If you you are worried about any side effects after taking an ECP, talk to your healthcare provider.
Some people wonder if there are any side effects to using ECPs frequently. While ECPs should not be used as someoneâs primary method of contraception, repeat use is unlikely to cause serious harm and is safer than pregnancy . ella does specify that it is not recommended for use twice within the same cycle .
Most people who take emergency contraception get their next period sooner than expected, but it may also come slightly later . ECPs can also cause lightspotting .
People who donât get their next period around the expected time should check for pregnancy. It is common for the second cycle, and period, to be slightly longer after taking an ECP.
Taking an over-the-counter ECP if you are already pregnant has not been shown to causeharm to the fetus , but ECPs are not for use in someone who is already pregnant.
Plan B is a progestin-only pill you should take within three days of unprotected sex , and you can buy it over the counter. It interferes with ovulation so there’s no fertilization and, therefore, no pregnancy. The Plan B website states, “Plan B does not impact the effectiveness of any regular birth control methods, so you can continue your regular birth control right away or start one, if you don’t have a regular method.” The same goes for other progestin-only morning-after pills .
Board-certified ob-gyn and fertility physician Natalie Crawford, MD, told POPSUGAR this applies to going back on progestin-only birth control as well as traditional combination birth control with both estrogen and progestin. She explained that when taking regular combination birth co
Xhamster]
Tumblr Shemale Blowjob
Ero Profile

Can The Plan B Pill Affect Your Period

Report Page