What Are The Side Effects Of The Morning After Pill
|
“The “morning after pill” can disrupt your periods. Your next period may be heavier or lighter and it may come earlier or later than expected.” – Dr Zenon Andreou |
“The “morning after pill” can disrupt your periods. Your next period may be heavier or lighter and it may come earlier or later than expected.”Dr Zenon Andreou
Plan B Side Effects You Should Know About
Nauseous? Totally normal.
So the condom broke and you’re not on the Pill. Your move: Run out to CVS and pick up some Plan B.
But if you’ve never taken emergency contraception before, you might be wondering: Does this stuff have any side effects?
Plan B contains a type of progesterone, the same steroid hormone thats in oral contraceptives, but at a higher dose, says Iffath Hoskins, M.D., clinical associate professor in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone Health. It works by one or all of the following ways: delaying ovulation, preventing fertilization, and/or preventing egg implantation.
Though Plan B is generally considered very safe , that high dose of progesterone may cause a few potential side effects.
Here’s are the Plan B side effects you should know about:
Taking Plan B can cause your period to be lighter or heavier, or arrive earlier or come late. These side effects are due to the high-dose progesterone acting on the lining of the uterus at variable points in time during the menstrual cycle, says Hoskins.
How it affects your cycle depends on where exactly you are in your cycle when you take it. And while it may cause changes, these are always temporary, especially when the pill is used correctly, i.e. very rarely/occasionally and not regularly and repeatedly, she says.
Your next period should be normal, and come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time.
Easy Ways To Reduce Bloating
Here are some tips for how you can decrease your water weight and reduce bloating.
You May Like: Ibd And Probiotics
Could I Be Pregnant
Some spotting after using Plan B is harmless. It shouldnt be taken as a sure sign that youre not pregnant, though.
Implantation spotting can happen when a fertilized egg attaches to the lining of the uterus. This is perfectly normal in early pregnancy, usually occurring about 10 to 14 days after conception.
Youll only know that youre not pregnant when you get your period or have a negative pregnancy test.
In addition to spotting and menstrual changes, other potential side effects from Plan B may include:
- nausea
- breast tenderness
- vomiting
If they happen at all, these side effects should only last a few days and you probably wont have all of them.
Emergency contraceptive pills are not associated with serious or long-term side effects. Plan B wont affect your ability to get pregnant or carry a pregnancy in the future.
Remember, your period may be late even if youre not pregnant.
You dont have to do anything for spotting, getting your period early, or a heavier-than-normal period. When you take Plan B, keep some menstrual products on hand just in case.
Your cycle should return to normal the following month.
You May Like: How To Cure Leaky Gut Fast
Five: Maybe Just Wear An Eye Mask All Day
I couldn’t look at the sun, my dog, my really cute boyfriend, or anything but the floor. I felt an extreme sensory overload — sounds were intense, light was overwhelming, interaction excruciating.
In retrospect, I kind of wish I had just put a bag on my head all day and maybe peeked my good eye out to watch some Hulu. Just rejecting society entirely might be the best option for the day after the morning after pill.
Mine seemed to be an unusually extreme reaction, but my friends all said they also felt overwhelming emotions and gloom after taking Plan B.
After polling some of my girls, 10 out of 10 had taken Plan B, and 10 out of 10 experienced at least two-thirds of the side effects that I did and with some intensity. That’s more than a “maybe,” Teva Women’s Health.
Does that mean I wouldn’t do it again if I had to? Of course not. But I would be better prepared emotionally, physically, culinarily and botanically, and I would have built a pillow fort and piped in some soothing tunes on a Bluetooth speaker.
Plan B is essential to keeping our reproductive choices sternly in our own hands, but I think we need to share our experiences. I had to take the pill no matter what, a situation many women will encounter. But if it was more openly discussed, I would have had some clue what I was in for.
So sharing what happened to me will hopefully help you plan better, and give you some insight should you find yourself facing down the purple and white box.
Don’t Miss: Fish Oil Help Constipation
What Are The Side Effects Of Taking Plan B
It is very common to have side effects when taking the morning after pill. Some common side effects are nausea and vomiting, breast soreness, a headache, dizziness, break-through-bleeding, bloating, abdominal pain, tiredness and menstrual irregularities. These side effects are not long-term and are not to be considered serious. Your next period may start a few days earlier or a few days later than usual.
Also Check: How To Change Gut Microbiome To Lose Weight
How Many Times Can You Use A Morning
You can only take the morning after pill once after unprotected P-in-V sex.
Though not recommended, the morning-after pill may be taken more than once during the same menstrual cycle, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Its best to speak with a doctor for advice on the best birth control method for you.
- availability
- accessibility
Availability and accessibility: Plan B is more readily available, more cost-effective, doesnt need a prescription, and can be found in many retail stores compared with ella. You may opt for this pill if youre in an emergency situation and dont have time to wait for an ella prescription.
Cost: Plan B is cheaper than ella, making it a more pocket-friendly emergency contraceptive option. However, health insurance or Medicaid may cover the cost. You can also get it for free or at a subsidized cost at a family planning clinic.
Health status: The copper IUD is the most effective option for a person with a BMI of 30 or more. According to the FDA, a pregnant or breastfeeding person may use Plan B without it having any unusual side effects on them.
Lifestyle: A person who has had unprotected P-in-V sex and doesnt take emergency contraception within the first 2 to 3 days may opt for ella or a copper IUD, which have longer efficacy windows.
Numerous studies suggest ella and Plan B are safe for all vagina owners, regardless of their medical condition or any other circumstances.
Don’t Miss: Does Romaine Lettuce Give You Gas
The Effect On Weight Is Minimal
Does the birth control pill make you gain weight? It’s a common question.
While some people seem to gain weight on the pill, research has shown no association overall between weight gain and birth control.
The estrogen in the pill can make some people feel bloated. This can make you feel as if you weigh more even if you don’t. But this effect typically goes away.
The progestin in the pill may increase your appetite. In turn, you may eat more. Eating more can lead to weight gain if not balanced with diet and exercise.
Also, some people may experience water retention. Switching to a lower-dose pill can reduce this effect.
People often start using the pill during a time of life that corresponds with weight changes. Although the weight changes are usually unrelated, this contributes to the pill’s reputation for causing weight gain.
Other Causes Of Bleeding
In the weeks after taking Plan B, light spotting between periods or a heavier flow are not typically a cause for concern. However, if these issues do not go away within a month or so, something other than Plan B may be responsible.
Heavy bleeding and intense pain can signal a serious underlying condition, such as endometriosis. Also, heavy bleeding can indicate an early miscarriage.
A healthcare provider should assess all heavy bleeding. If a persons periods are irregular and heavy, taking additional hormonal contraceptives can help. If the bleeding results from pregnancy loss, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove remaining tissue.
Read Also: How Long Does A Ibs Flare Up Last
Is It Bad To Take Plan B Multiple Times
When you have unprotected sex and do not want to become pregnant, consider taking “The Plan B” pill within 72 hours of having a sexual intercourse. You can also use the emergency contraception, Plan B, after a birth control failure. Plan B is bascally Levonorgestrel it is taken in two doses with 12 hours’ time between the doses. You can buy Plan B without prescription if you are over 18 years of age. It means it is an accessible and safe option when taken occasionally, but is it okay to take Plan B multiple times?
Who Cannot Take This Pill
The morning-after pill should not be taken by men, women who are breastfeeding or pregnant, or if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
An appointment with the gynecologist is advisable before using this pill in cases of high blood pressure, cardiovascular conditions, morbid obesity or if you have a history of abnormal vaginal bleeding or bleeding of unknown origin.
Recommended Reading: Tramadol Constipation
How Does Plan B Affect Your Bleeding Pattern
Now you have the answer to your question–Can Plan B delay your period? You may still wonder how it affects your bleeding pattern and when your period will become normal. Your period is most likely to become regular within a month after taking day after pills. You may notice that your period comes a week earlier or later than usual. If you notice unusual delay in your period, you may want to take a pregnancy test to confirm if you have already conceived.
Researchers have found that Next Choice, Plan B and other progestin-only pills can affect your bleeding patterns according to three studies:
- In the first study, women experienced their period sooner than expected when they took 1.5mg levonorgestrel in the first three weeks of their monthly cycle. However, there was no change in the menstrual cycle for women who took Plan B in the fourth week of their cycle.
- The second study showed that the period arrived at usual time for women who took 1.5mg levonorgestrel within two days before or after ovulation. Some women had their period a day earlier when they took contraception more than two days before ovulation.The duration of menstrual period increased when emergency contraception pills were taken three days before ovulation. About 15% of women experienced inter-menstrual bleeding when they took ECPs during the pre-ovulatory phase.
Are There Any Other Causes
#3: Gender.
Birth control bloating is similar to period bloating. You bloat during your period due to hormone fluctuations leading to increased water retention. Since the pill contains synthetic hormones to manage your menstrual cycle, the introduction of birth control hormones to your system causes significant fluctuations in your sex hormones. Like your period, this leads to water retention. Hormone levels usually stabilize after three months and the birth control bloating and gas should disappear by then too.
#4: Food Intolerance.
Certain foods cannot be properly absorbed by the small intestine and may end up in the colon. Bacteria in the colon can cause fermentation, leading to bloating. Lactose and Gluten intolerances are common causes of food bloat.
Read Also: What Can You Take For Diarrhea While Pregnant
Concomitant Symptoms Of Bloating And Abdominal Distention
Healthy subjects generally tolerate intestinal gas quite well because they can propel and evacuate gas efficiently. A number of theories have been offered to explain why patients may have symptoms of both bloating and abdominal distention.
Increased Gas Production This theory has been largely discredited for a number of reasons. Several studies using different techniques have not shown any significant differences in gas production between normal volunteers and IBS patients.,, In addition, infusion of large amounts of gas into the intestinal tract of normal volunteers produces only a small change in abdominal girth. In contrast, IBS patients show fairly large abdominal girth changes, even in the absence of gas infusion.
Impaired Evacuation Some patients cannot effectively evacuate gas, resulting in prolonged intestinal gas retention and symptoms of bloating and pain. Patients with IBS, functional bloating, and constipation are less able to effectively evacuate infused gas and are much more likely to develop symptoms of abdominal distention.,, Some of these patients appear to have a deficiency in a normal rectal reflex involved in intestinal gas propulsion.
You May Like: What Does Ibs Mean In Texting
Possible Side Effects Of The Morning After Pill
There are no long-term or serious side effects associated with the morning after pill, and it is safe and well-tolerated by most who take it. There are some minor side effects that some women may experience after taking the morning after pill, such as:
- Nausea, with and without vomiting.
- Headache and dizziness.
- Breast tenderness.
- Abdominal pain or cramping.
Read Also: Probiotics Align Ingredients
Is Plan B One
No. RU-486, sold as Mifeprex, is a prescription drug for medical abortion. Mifeprex is used after a woman is already pregnant. Plan B One-Step is an emergency contraceptive. It is used to prevent pregnancy. While some people do feel that pregnancy begins at the time of conception, many doctors and the FDA do not describe Plan B One-Step as an abortion pill but as emergency contraception.
Show Sources
Take A Collagen Supplement
Many people know of collagen as the hair, skin, and nail-loving supplement that can essentially turn back the clock to help you look and feel years younger. While this is true, taking a collagen supplement, like SkinnyFit Super Youth, also has incredible gut health benefits! Studies show that collagen is an essential biological process in repairing the intestinal lining. .
Recommended Reading: Tramadol Constipation Side Effects
One: It Outright Sucks
Theres this feeling I used to get after a night of hard drinking where I wake up hours before my alarm, feeling like a raisin inside an empty fish bowl, cartoonishly dehydrated.
It always comes with a pang of nausea that climbs up from my toes, sending waves of sweat pouring from all over and making falling back asleep impossible. This used to be my bodys way of being like âYou done f*cked up, now you gon puke.â
Waking up to that feeling after zero drinks was even worse. When you dont drink much and you feel hungover, it feels extra sad, like you missed the fun and only got the consequences. I hunched over, skulked to the bathroom, and cried while the other side effects of barfing and extreme cramping began to take hold.
What Is Plan B And How Does It Work
Plan B uses levonorgestrel, the same hormone found in low-dose birth control pills, explains Savita Ginde, M.D., chief healthcare officer at Stride Community Health Center in Denver, CO, and former chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. “It’s a type of progesterone that’s been used safely in many birth control pills for a very long time,” she adds.
But there’s three times more levonorgestrel in Plan B compared to a regular birth control pill. This large, concentrated dose “interferes with the normal hormone patterns necessary for a pregnancy to occur, by delaying the release of an egg from the ovary, stopping fertilization, or preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus,” says Dr. Ginde.
Let’s be super clear here: Plan B is not an abortion pill. “Plan B cannot prevent a pregnancy that has already happened,” says Felice Gersh, M.D., an ob-gyn and founder and director of the Integrative Medical Group of Irvine, in Irvine, CA. Plan B works largely by stopping ovulation from occurring, so if it’s taken right after ovulation and the potential for fertilization still exists , Plan B could fail to prevent pregnancy.
“If you’re around the time of ovulation, clearly the sooner you take the pill, the better!” she says.
Also Check: Cream Of Wheat Constipation