All You Need to Know About the Side Effects of Morning After Pills

So, maybe you had a little too much fun under the covers, and now you’re worried about a potential pregnancy. But don’t stress yet! A morning-after pill might be the remedy you’re looking for to prevent unwanted pregnancy. They’re effective, easy to get, and usually work well if you take them within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

But before you run to the store, let’s take a little mental jog over the must-know (but usually rare) side effects of these emergency contraceptives. Moreover, we’ll help you decide when you should reach out for medical advice and everything in between.

First off, it is important to wrap your head around what a day-after pill actually is. These are handy little emergency contraceptives that work to delay ovulation for a very short period.

During one of those “oops” moments when you have unprotected sex and you’re not sure whether you’re ready for an unexpected pregnancy or not, these pills can come in handy.

They have active hormones (similar to natural ones) that prevent ovulation, i.e., the release of eggs from the ovaries. In turn, this prevents the sperm from fertilizing eggs and forming a zygote. Hence, there is no pregnancy.

However, the effectiveness of these emergency contraceptives varies, especially when you consider the small window you have (up to 72 hours or 120 hours max). Typical brands you might see  at your local pharmacy include Morning After PillTM by Cadence OTC, Plan B One-Step, and Take Action.  

Risks of Taking Emergency Contraceptives

Now, understanding this is important: day-after pills are super helpful, but they do come with a few undesirable side effects. Like any other medication, it’s good to know the side effects before you pop one pill (or tablet).

What are contraindications? They refer to conditions that would make an otherwise safe medication “unsafe.” Luckily, there aren’t too many that you have to worry about when it comes to morning-after pills. That’s mainly because day-after pills aren’t for long-term contraception—they’re for emergency uses.

Since they’re not advised for long-term use, there are rarely ever cases of serious contraindications for these pills. Still, that’s no reason to be in the grey. Here are some situations where you might want to avoid these pills: 

• Allergic reactions: Are you allergic to levonorgestrel, magnesium stearate, or lactose? Those are some of the common ingredients in day-after pills that can potentially trigger an adverse physical response. So, it is best to steer clear in these cases.
• Ongoing medications: Some medications can mess with the effectiveness of the morning-after pills. Chat with your healthcare professional if your prescription includes herbal supplements, anti-seizure medications, barbiturates, St. John’s wort, rifampin, or griseofulvin.
• Weight considerations (overweight or obesity concerns): Scientific studies indicate that day-after pills might not work well for people who are overweight or obese. But don’t worry. If you’re in this situation, there are a few other options to help you with the emergency at hand.
• Already pregnant: Well, if you’re already pregnant, there’s no point in taking a day-after pill. But we understand the concern. Fortunately, taking a day-after pill rarely ever has any effect on the baby, according to scientific research.
• Breastfeeding: In case you’re breastfeeding, talk to a professional before popping a morning-after pill. Getting an opinion from your primary healthcare provider can help you make the right call. 

As a heads-up, emergency contraceptives aren’t for preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You want to use barrier methods like condoms to protect yourself.

Also, you might want to consider long-term contraceptives like an intrauterine device (IUD) to prevent pregnancy. While no contraceptives offer 100% protection, IUDs are 99% effective and can last nearly 10 years, which is pretty nice. 

Common Side Effects of Morning-After Pills

Let’s talk about common side effects. As with any other medication, morning-after pills can also cause some side effects. However, most of them are pretty mild and usually don’t last long, so there’s usually nothing to worry about. Here’s a quick rundown to help you know: 

• Nausea and vomiting: An upset stomach is one of the most common side effects of day-after pills. In fact, if you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, get ready for another dose because the pill didn’t get a chance to work in your system.
• Dizziness:  You might feel a little lightheaded at first. Some people also report dizziness right after taking the pill (within a couple of hours).
• Fatigue: Yes, some people also feel a bit too tired after the day-after pill, and it’s not just the recent cardio session taking effect. So, take it easy and listen to what your body is telling you.
• Headaches: You might have to sit with a mild headache. But nothing to worry about—unless it doesn’t fade away on its own in a day or two.
• Changes in menstrual cycle: Your period could be early after taking the pill or even be late. In fact, it can even be heavier, lighter, or spotty. In either case, it’s a temporary change.
• Belly pain (or cramps): You might experience some mild stomach discomfort after taking a morning-after pill.  

Call Your Doctor If You Experience Any of these Side Effects

While most side effects of the morning-after pill are mild, there’s still some chance you could experience more serious complications. 

We have a list of severe side effects you should know about. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider if you experience any of them.

• Severe stomach pain: Stomach pain that is almost unbearable could be due to an ectopic pregnancy. That’s something that requires immediate medical attention. It happens when a fertilized egg implants and begins to grow outside the uterus, which leads to implantation bleeding. 
• Heavy or prolonged bleeding: Periods that are heavier and last longer can require immediate medical attention.
• Severe headaches: Debilitating headaches that didn’t go away in a day or two? They usually aren’t normal, so talk to your doctor about this as soon as you can.
• Missed periods: If it’s been three weeks and there's still no sign that it’s your “time of the month,” don’t worry. Stay calm, take a pregnancy test, and plan a trip to the doctor’s office.
• Allergic reactions: Allergic reactions aren’t common, but if you notice severe symptoms (e.g., hives, swelling, or shortness of breath), get medical help right away.

Don’t wait if you’re experiencing some of the following signs of severe allergic reactions—you need emergency medical care ASAP: 

• Skin rashes, itching, or hives
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble breathing or wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing)
• Dizziness
• Fainting
• Stomach pain
• Bloating
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Uterine cramps
• The feeling that something awful is about to happen  

Do Day-After Pills Have Any Long-Term Side Effects?

So, great news—no long-term effects! However, it’s completely normal to notice a temporary change in your next menstrual cycle after taking a day-after pill. It may come a bit earlier or later than usual and may be heavier, lighter, or spotty. Or, for some people, it doesn’t change at all. No need to sweat if things seem a little off for a little while. 

Also, some people experience symptoms like stomach upset, headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, or tender breasts. Remember that they usually go away on their own. And, if you throw up within two hours of taking it, it wasn’t in your body long enough to be effective. You might have to take another one to make sure you’re doing your best to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.  

How to Properly Take Morning-After Pill

Timing is everything here! With the morning-after pill nearby, don’t wait. You should take it as soon as possible—within 24 hours preferably. However, you can still take it up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected intercourse. But the sooner, the better.

Ideally, most people go for a day-after pill right after a hot and heavy session to prevent pregnancy and have some peace of mind. Also, you may have to take one or two doses, which would depend on the pill you choose to go with.

Make sure you’re following the instructions on the box. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor if you’re unsure about what to do.

Note: Some brands recommend taking the pill with food and/or water to lower your chances of getting sick.  

Frequent Questions About Morning-After Pill Side Effects

Got a few more questions? We’ve got the answers! Here are some common morning-after-pill FAQs:

How Effective Are CadenceOTC’s Pills?

If you take them within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex, they can be quite effective. Just remember that the longer you wait, the less effective they become. So, don’t put it off. 

With that said, CadenceOTC offers morning-after pills that are highly effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within the first 72 hours of having condomless or unprotected sex.

Still, the effectiveness is never 100%. However, it drops from 95% within the first few hours to 89% and then to 75% after 72 hours. So, timing really does matter. 

How Long Do Morning-After Pill Side Effects Last?

So, how long do the side effects of these emergency contraceptives last? Fortunately, day-after pill side effects don’t stick around for too long. 

You may experience a few common side effects after taking the pill: changes in the menstrual cycle, abdominal pain, headaches, and so on. But, if they persist for too long and get unbearably intense, reach out to your healthcare provider.

What if I’m Already Pregnant?

The morning-after pill won’t work if you’re already pregnant. Emergency contraceptive is designed to prevent pregnancy.

If you’re already pregnant, it might be time to start family planning. You can talk to your doctor to discuss the next steps. The doctor might share some useful parental care advice or family planning choices. Good luck!  

Are Day-After Pills Safe?

Yes, absolutely! FDA has approved specific brands like Plan B for emergency contraception. In fact, we believe millions of people use these pills without serious complications. That, of course, includes using proper healthcare practices and tracking of physical symptoms.

What if the Pills Are Expired?

Please don’t take expired pills! It’s recommended that you don’t take any day-after pills that are expired. That’s because the active ingredients in the day-after pills can break down over time.

This not only makes them less effective at preventing conception but can also lead to serious health complications.

Found an expired pill? Please don’t use it.  Buy a new one from the nearest pharmacy or grocery store. It is better to be safe than sorry. Expired pills can be dropped off at the pharmacy for safe disposal.

Also, time is of the essence here. Grab a new pill within 72 hours; they’re usually available for purchase—without ID requirements or prescriptions.

Can I Still Take My Birth Control Pills?

Yes, you can continue taking your regular birth control pills after using a day-after pill. In fact, it’s recommended that you resume or start a regular contraceptive method to ensure continued pregnancy prevention.

If you’re taking combined birth control pills (the ones that contain estrogen and progestin), you can take them the day after using a morning-after pill. If you’re using a progestin-only pill, you can jump back in the next day as well. 

Remember, the morning-after pill is not for long-term use. So, make sure you have a long-term contraceptive plan in place to avoid these inconvenient “oops” moments.

How Do I Know if the Pill Worked?

Did you get your period? If it arrives, you know that the pill worked. Again, there’s no need to worry if it’s a bit late or a little early. It might even be heavier or lighter than usual, but these are super common effects of the day-after pills.

But it’s advisable to take a pregnancy test for some peace of mind—especially if your period has been a little too late than expected (like a week or more). While most  day-after pills have a 95% success rate, there’s still that 5% chance that it will fail.

Can the Use of Emergency Contraceptives be Detected?

Short answer? Nope! Standard medical tests won’t detect emergency contraceptives like the morning-after pill. Why? They contain the same hormones as those in regular birth control pills, and they work naturally.

Your body metabolizes them as it does naturally (with the regular birth control pills, we mean), so there’s nothing left to trace. Again, the simple answer is that you don’t have to disclose anything regarding it if you’re undergoing medical tests or don’t want to. However, as healthcare professionals, it’s best to disclose such details so you can get the best medical care.

Summing Up

Morning-after pills like CadencOTC, Take Action, Plan B, and Ella are safe options for preventing pregnancy. While there are unpleasant side effects like nausea, tiredness, and dizziness, most are short-lived. 

If you have concerns about the day-after pill’s effectiveness, side effects, or contraindications, reach out to your doctor for personalized medical advice. Stay safe and stay empowered. You’ve got this!