Will Plan B Start My Period

How To Take It

Period Update: Missed Period, Pregnancy Test and Plan B | How late was my period?

Most research shows Plan B has a 52 to 100 percent effectiveness rate. Its success mainly depends on how soon after sex you take it and what stage your menstrual cycle is at.

Plan B One-Step can work up to 120 hours after sex, but the sooner you take it, the better. You simply swallow a pill containing 1.5 milligrams of levonorgestrel.

Plan B has no effect on your future fertility, so fear not. When youre ready to put a bun in the oven, having taken Plan B in the past wont affect your chances of conceiving.

We give you the full rundown of what to do after having sex without a condom or other barrier method the important part is not to panic.

What Is In Plan B

“Levonorgestrel is the active hormone in Plan B,” says Krishna Kakani, an MD who has her own OB/GYN practice.

Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestin hormone that prevents pregnancy in two ways:

  • In case the egg has already been released, it works by blocking fertilization and altering the uterine lining so that the egg cannot attach itself to the wall of the uterus.
  • It’s important to note that plan B works to prevent fertilization, it will not terminate a pregnancy if the egg has already implanted.

    Since levonorgestrel affects ovulation and the uterine lining to prevent pregnancy, taking Plan B could alter the timing, length, and flow of your next period.

    “Emergency contraceptives that contain levonorgestrel are most effective if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex,” says Kakani. Plan B is just one type of emergency contraceptive that contains levonorgestrel. Others brands include:

    • Next Choice
    • Fallback
    • Opcicon

    Levonorgestrel is also an ingredient in other forms of birth control like oral birth control pills, vaginal rings, contraceptive implants, and birth control patches.

    Ella, another emergency contraceptive, contains a different hormone, known as ulipristal acetate. Like levonorgestrel, it works by preventing the release of the egg from the ovary. However, unlike levonorgestrel, which only offers you a 72-hour window, ella offers you a 120-hour window to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex.

    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.

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    Should You Be Worried If The Morning After Pill Delays Your Period

    No, you shouldnt be worried if the morning after pill delays your period as this can be a side effect, says Julia.

    There are many reasons why your period might be delayed by more than seven days, she continues. Some people have irregular cycles so it can be hard to predict when the next period is due, but stress and weight loss can also affect the menstrual cycle. Other causes include menopause, polycystic ovaries, thyroid issues and diabetes.

    If your periods are irregular, or youve missed one altogether, it could be down to a range of factors. Find out more about why you might miss your period here.

    Please speak to your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

    Does Plan B Affect Your Period

    Plan B One Step Pill: Implantation bleeding or plan B ...

    Plan B is also referred to as the “morning after pill”. It is taken by those who have unprotected sex, or use a condom that splits during intercourse. These instances can lead to ejaculation in the vagina which can cause impregnation. Plan B will help to prevent this from happening, but it may affect your period. If you have taken plan B and are wondering, “Does Plan B affect your period?” you have come to the right place.

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    If The Test Is Positive

    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.

    Late Period After Plan B

    No method 100% effective. The aim of the morning after pill is to hinder pregnancy, however, it has no action once the ovum has been implanted in the uterus. For this reason there is always a risk of pregnancy. Like we said before, if your period is late by 7 days, there is a possibility that you might be pregnant.

    If the test shows negative and you are not pregnant, we recommend visiting your gynecologist to find out why your period might be so late. A gynecologist may also be able to confirm that the test was not a false negative.

    Also Check: How To Keep Your Period From Coming

    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

    Are There Risks Of Getting Pregnant When You’re Having Your Period

    Plan B Problems

    Avoiding pregnancy is not as simple as waiting to have sex on your period. If you do want to plan sex for when you are less likely to get pregnant then it is not so simple.

    Find out why you’re still at risk of getting pregnant on your period and what you can do to get protected.

    Last reviewed: 29/10/2019 by Dr Simran Deo

    Contents

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    What If My Periods 2 Weeks Late After Plan B

    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:

    • chronic illness

    Does The Morning After Pill Normally Delay Your Period

    We know that a late period after taking the morning after pill is the last thing you want, but it doesnt necessarily mean the morning after pill hasnt been effective.

    The morning after pill can delay your next period but does not always do so. Your next period can even be early, says Julia, However, if your period is more than seven days late, you should do a pregnancy test.

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    Q: How Long Can You Wait To Take The Morning

    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.

    Q: What Are Options For Emergency Contraception

    Plan B One Step Pill: Implantation bleeding or plan B ...

    A: There are currently four available methods:

    • Levonorgestrel . These pills contain a synthetic hormone called progestin and are available over-the-counter. They prevent pregnancy by delaying the release of the egg from the ovary to prevent fertilization. They will not work if you are already pregnant.
    • Ulipristal acetate . This medication also suppresses or delays ovulation but is only available by prescription. It will not work if you are already pregnant.
    • Copper-releasing IUD. Once its placed in the uterus by a healthcare professional, it offers additional pregnancy protection for as long as you keep it in, up to 10 years.
    • Yuzpe regimen. This method calls for a woman to take multiple birth control pills that total 100 mcg of estrogen and 1 mg of progesterone twice in a 12-hour period. It is the least effective method of emergency contraceptive, and will not work if you are already pregnant.

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    You Might Experience Medication Interactions

    Plan B is available over the counter, but that doesn’t mean it’s always a good idea to take it without consulting a medical professional first. In fact, it might not be as effect if you’ve taken certain medications, including barbiturates, St John’s wort, and certain HIV/AIDS medications, Dr. Patel says, “so check with your pharmacists about medication interactions.” Even if you don’t think your prescriptions or supplements are on this list, check anyway. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

    How To Treat Bleeding From The Morning

    Most of the time, theres no need to do anything if you experience bleeding or an unusually late or early period after using the morning-after pill.

    If youre worried about spotting or a heavy period after using the morning-after pill, it can help to keep some extra tampons, sanitary napkins or other menstrual hygiene products on hand.

    If you have an unusually heavy or uncomfortable period after using the morning-after pill, using over-the-counter pain relief is usually fine. Pain relief medications like ibuprofen can help to ease menstrual cramps and, in some cases, lighten blood flow.

    If youre worried about persistent or excessive bleeding after using the morning-after pill, make sure to call your healthcare provider.

    Finally, if its more than seven days after the date at which your period normally begins and your period has yet to start, or if you only get a very light or short period after using the morning-after pill, you may be pregnant and should seek advice from your healthcare provider .

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    Why Does Plan B Affect Your Period This Way

    Plan B uses a synthetic hormone called levonorgestrel to prevent pregnancy by stopping an egg from being released.

    Levonorgestrel is found in birth control pills, but Plan B contains a higher dose that can alter your bodys natural hormone levels.

    The extra hormones can, in turn, affect the menstrual cycle, leading to an earlier or delayed period as well as heavier or lighter bleeding.

    Dealing With The Bleeding

    PLAN B UPDATE 3 – I Got my Period….Again.

    Theres not much you can do to prevent bleeding, but you can deal with it just as you would a heavy period.

    Be sure to have some period products on hand after you take Plan B, and be prepared for a heavier period than usual. Your cycle should go back to normal the following month.

    Stopping regular hormonal contraception can also lead to bleeding learn more here.

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    What Plan B One

    Emergency contraception is often mistakenly confused with the early abortion pill, RU486 . These two medications serve two different purposes and work completely different from one another.

    Plan B One-Step is not an abortion pill. It is also not effective if taken after a woman is already pregnant. The new Plan B will not terminate an existing pregnancy. According to Teva Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of Plan B One-Step, there is no evidence that Plan B One-Step harms a pregnant woman or a developing fetus.

    Teva Pharmaceuticals also advises that Plan B One-Step should not be used as a substitute for routine contraception use.

    Changes In The Menstrual Cycle

    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.

    • Some studies suggest that taking Plan B early on in your menstrual cycle can increase the likelihood of spotting before menstruation begins and can sometimes cause the next period to be shorter than usual.
    • When Plan B is taken later in your menstrual cycle, it may not affect period length, or it may be more likely to result in prolonged menstrualbleeding.

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