The good ol' morning-after pill is a form of emergency contraception that many people trust when things go awry in the bedroom, such as a broken condom or your regular birth control failing you. Like any medication, this pill can cause some very undesirable side effects.
One side effect, in particular, is changes to your menstrual cycle. Knowing the possible changes to your cycle can ease some of the uncertainty associated with this morning-after pill.
So, without further ado, let's answer the question, "Does the morning-after pill affect your period?" to give you peace of mind.
How the Morning After Pill Can Impact Your Period
Can the morning-after pill affect your period? Absolutely. This is because the morning-after pill works by messing with your body's hormones to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. While this pill works to prevent pregnancy, it is also causing some changes to your menstrual cycle.
Hormonal Fluctuations
The morning-after pill or tablet contains a high dose of one hormone —typically levonorgestrel, found in Morning After Pill™ by CadenceOTC, Take Action, Plan B One-Step. It prevents pregnancy by delaying ovulation. In case you don't know, ovulation is a very important part of your menstrual cycle, so when this process is disrupted, the morning-after pill can shift the timing of your period. Just think of it as a very temporary hormonal shake-up. The hormone in Ella is ulipristal and it also acts by delaying ovulation. For more information on ullipristal ask your doctor or check their website www.ella-now.com
Understand that these hormones affect everyone differently. For some folks, these changes could be super minute or barely noticeable. For others, they could be much more obvious, which we'll explain in more detail soon.
Potential for Menstrual Changes
So, can the morning-after pill change your period?
Yes, especially when it comes to the timing of your menstrual cycle. Because the morning-after pill interferes with ovulation, it's no surprise that it can throw your cycle off track.
But before you start panicking, know that these changes to your menstruation are usually temporary. Once your body adjusts to the surge of hormones, Mother Nature will return to her normally scheduled visits within the next cycle or two.
Delayed or Early Periods
The timing of your period after taking the morning-after pill can vary for everyone. Some people notice that their period shows up much earlier than expected, while others experience a delay. But don't fret—both scenarios are very common and aren't typically a cause for concern.
If your period is more than a week late, however, we highly recommend taking a pregnancy test just to be on the safe side. While the morning-after pill is very effective, there's no 100% guarantee that a pregnancy won't occur.
Common Menstrual Changes After Taking the Morning-After Pill
Now that we know that the morning-after pill affects your cycle, we'll discuss what changes you might experience. Here are the most common ones many women deal with.
Spotting or Light Bleeding
You may notice a bit of spotting or light bleeding within a few days of taking a morning-after pill. However, this bleeding is not your period. Rather, it's just a side effect of the hormonal changes caused by the pill. Fortunately, this bleeding is typically light and very short-lived, only lasting a few days.
So, if you see this light bleeding, don't panic. However, if it continues beyond a few days or becomes heavy, please reach out to a healthcare provider. They can check to make sure there's nothing else going on.
Delayed Period
As we previously mentioned, a delayed period is one of the most common side effects of the morning-after pill. During this period (no pun intended), it can be a bit frustrating if you're waiting to see if the pill works. In most cases, your period may only be delayed by a few days to a week, but, of course, everyone's body reacts differently to things.
But, on the flip side of that, if your period is more than a week late, please take a pregnancy test—available over the counter at your local pharmacy or convenience store—to ensure that the morning-after pill did its job. While this is rare, it's better to get confirmation to put your mind at ease.
Heavier Bleeding
In some instances, you might experience a heavier-than-usual period after popping a morning-after pill. This is connected to the hormonal changes that the emergency contraceptive pill causes. And, while no one wants to experience this, know that this is not something to freak out about, as it should disappear as your body readjusts to the hormone surge.
Now, suppose your period is unusually heavy for more than a few days. In that case, that's definitely a red flag that needs to be checked out by a healthcare provider—especially if you're soaking through pads and tampons very quickly.
When to Worry About Menstrual Changes
For the most part, most of the menstrual changes you might experience after taking the morning-after pill are pretty normal. However, there are a few signs that you should keep an eye out for, as they could indicate a more serious health problem.
Excessive Bleeding
Although heavier bleeding is not uncommon after taking the morning-after pill, if there's excessive bleeding, then something's not quite right. If you're soaking through a pad or tampon in less than two hours or passing large clots, this could be a sign of something more serious, such as an underlying health condition or a bad reaction to the hormones within the emergency contraceptive pill.
If you find yourself in this situation, it's crucial to seek medical services to ensure everything's okay and get the proper treatment if necessary.
Prolonged Bleeding
If your bleeding lasts much longer than your usual period, that's another sign that needs your attention. Most menstrual cycles last three to seven days, so if you're experiencing bleeding beyond this timeframe—especially if other symptoms accompany it—we think it's worth reaching out to a healthcare provider to make sure you're good.
Other Symptoms
In addition to changes to your menstrual cycle, there are other symptoms to watch for after taking the morning-after pill. These include:
- Severe belly pain
- Nausea and vomiting that don't seem to go away
- Tiredness
- Dizziness
- High fever
- Vaginal odor or discharge that's unusual
If you happen to experience these symptoms, they could be signs of a more serious issue, such as an infection or a reaction to the emergency contraceptive pill. Not to sound like a broken record, but in these situations, it's especially important to get reviewed by a healthcare provider so you can get a proper diagnosis and start treatment ASAP.
When to Consult a Doctor
In most cases, experiencing menstrual changes after taking morning-after pills is normal and usually harmless. However, because this pill can really screw with your hormones, there are times when a healthcare provider may be needed.
You should reach out to your healthcare provider if:
- Your period is more than a week late after popping a morning-after pill, as this could be a sign of pregnancy or another underlying issue.
- You're experiencing excessive bleeding—like soaking through several pads and tampons in less than two hours.
- Your bleeding lasts longer than a typical period (more than seven days) or is unusually heavy.
- You're having severe belly pain, fever, tiredness, dizziness, or other unusual symptoms.
- There is an unusual vaginal discharge or odor, as this could be a sign of infection.
We understand that not everyone is the biggest fan of the doctor—but these are medical professionals with a lot of knowledge and experience who can give you the right information to take care of your sexual and reproductive health.
That said, don't hesitate to contact your healthcare provider and share any symptoms or other concerns you might have. They may perform physical exams and ask about your medical and family history to ensure you're all good. They can recommend additional testing or treatments depending on your symptoms if necessary.
We think we've left you with a pretty solid answer to the question, "Does the morning-after pill change your period?" Taking a morning-after pill can come with some temporary and probably unwanted changes to your menstrual cycle, but they're usually nothing to worry about. From spotting to a delayed or heavier period, these hormonal changes are just how your body is responding to the pill.
But if you're experiencing symptoms like prolonged or excessive bleeding or notice any other unusual symptoms, please don't hesitate to contact a healthcare provider. It never hurts to get a check-up to ensure you're okay. If you were using Ella, then there’s no harm in going back to the physician who prescribed it.
