Research Findings Vs Fda Labeling
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.
The Plan B Implantation Controversy
During Plan B’s approval process, its manufacturer asked the FDA to remove the implantation piece from its label. It is not completely clear why the FDA chose to keep it there.
Most of the research done during the approval process focused on Plan B’s active ingredient, the progestin hormone levonorgestrel. The research looked at the hormone’s safety and its effectiveness at preventing pregnancy. These studies did not explore how Plan B works.
The FDA may have decided to include implantation on Plan Bs label because this is one of the ways birth control pills work. Birth control pills containing levonorgestrel or a different progestin change the lining of the uterus. The FDA may have decided that because the pill may do this, Plan B might, too.
But there are two things to keep in mind:
- Even if the pill does alter the endometrium, the changes have not been proven to prevent the implantation of a fertilized egg.
- More importantly, research shows that the single levonorgestrel dose in Plan B doesnt cause any changes to the lining of the uterus.
According to those involved in the Plan B approval process, the FDA thought it was important to include on the label the possibility that Plan B works “theoretically … by interfering with a number of physiological processes.” This is why it included a list of all the possible ways that Plan B works.
Q: Can You Take The Morning
A: You can take it more than once a month, but we do not recommend using it as a main form of birth control not only because of the cost but because you will have irregular cycles.
Additionally, with the pills theres a higher failure rate the greater your BMI. So for women with a BMI over 30, those medications will be less likely to be effective.
Your Ob/Gyn can help you find the most appropriatecontraceptive option for you.
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Maximum Delay In Periods After Taking Ipill
The answer is yes, the morning after pill can delay or advance your period: although this affirmation depends on several factors. As mentioned before, the morning after pill is composed of a high hormonal dosage, which will affect your regular hormonal cycle.
Some of the most common side effects of taking the morning after pill include:
- Headaches.
- Changes in heaviness of bleeding during pregnancy.
- Delay or advancement of your period.
The delays or advances of your period will depend on the moment of the cycle in which the pill was taken. If you take the morning after pill a couple of days before your ovulation cycle it may make your period come earlier. However, if you take Plan B three or more days after ovulation, it could make your period come later. In addition, some studies show that the earlier you take the pill within the 72 hour limit, the earlier the appearance of your period might be.
If your period is over a week late, it may mean that it did not work and there is a possibility of pregnancy. You can test this by going to your nearest pharmacy and buying a pregnancy test.
How The Iud Works As Emergency Contraception
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.
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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.
How To Make Your Period Come A Week Early Naturally
In this article, we will discuss how to make your period come a week early naturally. Most of the girls think about their menstruation date before planning a vacation or a trip or in some of the cases when they are about to get married. No girl wants to face those unbearable pains, cramps, mood swings, and uneasiness which can spoil her vacation or their wedding night. Having periods during the trip or vacation might spoil her experience.
Well, this is a common physical condition of every girl and because of the changes in hormones maximum of the girls experience pain, cramps, and mood swings during this time. So they want their periods to come early or gets delay for few days. As all the girls feel the same way and think of speeding up their periods by taking medicines or following some home remedies to get periods immediately.
Though taking medicines can also result in some kind of side effect, alternatively, home remedies are always safe and there are no side effect of using the home remedies to get your periods early.
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How Do You Know If Plan B Worked
Doctors say that you dont need any tests or procedures after using emergency contraception. However, if you havent gotten your period within a week of when it should come or expect it to come, you should have a pregnancy test. Dont hesitate to talk to your doctor for some good, solid medical advice.
When you take it as directed, your emergency contraception pill should be safe and effective. The California State Board of Pharmacy says that emergency contraception could reduce your risk of getting pregnant by up to 89%. Note that this number is only an estimate, and it rides upon the fact that you take it on time, as soon as possible after having unprotected sex.
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How Can I Relieve Plan B Side Effects
Yeah, if youre feeling even remotely sh*tty, I get that you wanna find a quick fix. The most important thing Dr. Jackson-Bey suggests is to stay hydrated. Meanwhile, any headaches or breast tenderness can be treated with an OTC painkiller like Advil or Tylenol.
Otherwise, just rest up! Feeling fatigued? Acknowledge that youre feeling off for a reason and curl up with a good Netflix show. Remember that this is totally temporary and you *will* be back to normal soon.
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If You Take Levonelle Or Ellaone
Levonelle and ellaOne don’t continue to protect you against pregnancy if you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency pill, you can become pregnant.
They aren’t intended to be used as a regular form of contraception. But you can use emergency contraception more than once in a menstrual cycle if you need to.
The Plan B Controversy Today
The FDA is has no plans to change the label. But Erica Jefferson, an FDA spokesperson, did tell the New York Times that “the emerging data on Plan B suggest that it does not inhibit implantation.” Research is clear that Plan B does not interfere with implantation. It works primarily by preventing ovulation.
Because of this, the research community and many in the medical field feel the language about implantation should be removed from Plan B labeling.
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Can You Take Plan B On Birth Control
Yes, you can take Plan B on birth control. If you forgot to take your birth control pill and had unprotected sex, you could take the morning-after pill to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. You can resume taking your birth control again right away. Its best to use another form of contraception until your birth control is fully reliable again after the missed pill or pills.
Can The Morning After Pill Delay Your Period Ask Ella
So youve taken the morning after pill and youre sure your period should have come by now, but theres still no sign of it. What could it mean? Are you pregnant?
While your mind will probably jump straight to pregnancy, a late period doesnt necessarily mean thats the case. Its a bit more complicated than that, especially if youve recently taken the emergency contraceptive pill.
A lot of you have been asking us if the morning after pill can delay your period, so we spoke to Julia Hogan, Nurse Consultant* for , to get an expert opinion.
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Extremely Long Period After Plan B
kay78 over a year ago
Ok, I took PLAN B about 3 weeks ago, and I got my period a few days later. Since then, it has been almost 12 days with consistent, moderately heavy bleeding. I don’t know if this is normal. Some websites say heavy periods are expected, but 12 days?? Mine usually lasts 4! grrr. How long should period last after taking plan B? I don’t know what I should do… get tested for something else? Pregnancy Test?? Any advice AT ALL is greatly appreciated.
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Bleeding A Week After Taking Plan B
Emergency contraception can cause irregular bleeding, but this is only a problem if youre not pregnant. The good news? As long as your period has already started before taking the pill then there will be no effect on its progression or timing of future periods due to ECs ability stop pregnancy from happening in those cases where it would otherwise occur naturally
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Can Plan B Make You Miss Your Period
The simple answer is, no, it does not make you completely miss your period.
If you have recently taken a Plan B contraceptive and have missed your period, it could be a sign that you are pregnant. If this occurs, you should take a pregnancy test immediately.
Also, Plan B can affect your menstrual cycle, making it longer for your period to arrive. It is one of the common side effects of the medication.
Heavy Bleeding A Week 5 Or 4 Days After
Heavy bleeding seven days, 5 or 4 days after taking plan B is considered normal. The bleeding is occasioned by the shedding of your uterine lining, which is exactly what plan B was designed to do. You will find that your next period will pick up in the following month.
However, it is recommended that you do not engage in unprotected sex until your normal cycle is back. If possible, ensure that you get on a birth control method, as Plan B One-Step should only be used as an emergency method, and not as a regular method of birth control. It is always best to practice safe sex as it also reduces your chances of contracting an STD.
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Early Period After Taking Plan B One Step Help
- Asked
- 30 Aug 2013 by Anonymous
- plan b, emergency contraception, discharge, sex, period, plan b one-step
Had my last period July 28, I had sex August 7th.. Condom broke & everything got inside of me. I took plan b one step 30/40 mins after it happened. I got a brownish discharge 9 days later and then it was like a normal period. My expected period was August 25th , but it didn’t come. Was that my period of should i worry because i missed my expected one? I know that plan b makes it come early or later. Did it work? Also i don’t feel any pain or anything as in pregnancy symptoms
kaismama
As long as you have any bleeding you’re not pregnant. Plan b is a large dose of hormones and can mess up your cycle for a few months. I sure hope pain isn’t a sign of pregnancy. It never was before.
+3thechosenone
I had a heavy bleeding that lasted 6 days it was like my period and it was 3 days after i took my pill and my period is due the 27 of september was that the period that i was expecting or i still need to wait for my period please reply kaismama
thechosenone
I had a heavy bleeding that lasted 6 days it was like my period and it was 3 days after i took my pill and my period is due the 27 of september was that the period that i was expecting or i still need to wait for my period please reply kaismama
DzooBaby+0DzooBabylkg101JHScott7612+0
What If It Didnt Work
A few factors play into Plan Bs effectiveness. Doctors recommend taking it within 72 hours after a whoopee whoopsy so you have 3 days to head to the pharmacy and pick it up. If youre already on birth control, you should keep taking that as you normally would.
Research shows that, while its generally effective, Plan B doesnt have a 100 percent success rate. About 7 out of 8 women who wouldve become preggo wont conceive if they take Plan B within 3 days after sex. That means 1 out of 8 will get pregnant.
Plan B may not work if you vomit within 2 hours of taking it. Additionally, body size may come into play. It may be less effective in women who have a BMI over 25 or who weigh more than 165 pounds.
But thats doesnt mean for sure that it wont work.
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