Plan B is a method of emergency contraception which is commonly referred to as the Morning After Pill. It can be an ideal option for women who want to prevent pregnancy in the event of an “accident,” such as when a condom breaks or they forget to take their birth control pills. As with a variety of other medications, there are side effects of Plan B. Are irregular menstrual periods one of the potential side effects of the Morning After Pill?
Plan B and Irregular Menstrual Periods
Some women may notice changes in their menstrual cycle after using the Morning After Pill, while others may not. According to Planned Parenthood, women who use Plan B on a regular basis may experience irregular menstrual periods. Any time you use emergency contraception, however, your next period may be late or early.
According to McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, some women who use emergency contraception will also notice a difference in their menstrual flow. The next menstrual period that you have after taking Plan B may either be lighter or heavier than usual. It might also last for a longer or shorter time.
The Morning After Pill and Vaginal Bleeding
One of the side effects that some women notice after taking Plan B is vaginal bleeding or spotting. This is your body’s reaction to the hormones in the Morning After Pill. The vaginal bleeding that you experience after taking emergency contraception may be mild and in the form of spotting, or it may be heavier and easy to confuse with a menstrual period. According to the Office of Population Research at Princeton University, vaginal bleeding should subside before your next period.
Implantation Bleeding After Taking Plan B
Emergency contraception can be highly effective if it is taken within the first 24 hours, but its ability to prevent pregnancy decreases each additional day you wait to take it. It is highly recommended to take it within the first 24 hours, but it is thought to be fairly effective up until the first 72 hours. That said, there are some cases in which a woman may become pregnant after taking Plan B.
Implantation bleeding, which is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, can be mistaken for an irregular menstrual period. It generally occurs between six and 12 days after conception, according to the American Pregnancy Association. It is generally very light and may be accompanied by cramping.
Women who do not get their menstrual period after taking the Morning After Pill should be sure to take a home pregnancy test. There is a possibility that you could be pregnant. Otherwise, it is important to keep in mind that is perfectly normal to experience a difference in menstrual periods after using Plan B.
Sources:
McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, “Plan B One-Step Emergency Contraception” (accessed November 16, 2010).
Office of Population Research at Princeton University, “What are the side effects of emergency contraceptive pills?” (accessed November 16, 2010).
Planned Parenthood, “Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)” (accessed November 16, 2010).
Jody Morse - Jody Morse is a freelance writer from the Poconos. She earned her B.A. in English from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania in ...
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