Does the morning after pill stop your period

Like most medications, the morning after pill can cause side effects in some women. Whether you have just taken the morning after pill or are going to use it in the future, it is good if you know what to look out for.

Table of Contents Show

Which side effects are common?
The morning after pill and bleeding
Is the morning after pill safe?
What can you expect for your first period following the morning after pill?
Next period vs. morning after pill spotting
Does morning after pill affect period?
Does the morning after pill stop your period for that month?
Why did the morning after pill stop my period?
How do you stop your period immediately?

Which side effects are common?

The morning after pill contains similar hormones as your normal contraceptive pill, just in a higher dose. That way, it can prevent pregnancy even when you have had unprotected sex. Due to the higher dose of hormones, it is more likely to cause noticeable side effects. Some women who take the morning after pill for example experience abdominal pain after taking it. In some cases, the morning after pill also causes nausea, headache or tiredness.

It is also not unusual for women who have recently taken it to experience spotting or bleeding. If the morning after pill makes you vomit, you need to contact your doctor or pharmacist, as you may need to take another one.

The morning after pill and bleeding

It is not unusual for the morning after pill to cause irregular bleeding. You may notice some spotting or unusual bleeding, which may persist until your next period. You don’t need to worry about the bleeding unless it becomes excessive or if it doesn’t stop.

Does the morning after pill affect my period?

The morning after pill may not only cause irregular spotting and bleeding but it may also have an impact on your next period. Although most women still have their period on time, you may have it several days later or earlier than usual. If your period is more than five days late you should speak to a doctor who will check whether you are pregnant. The same applies if you have a very light or heavy period.

Is the morning after pill safe?

It is safe to take the morning after pill in situations where you need emergency contraception. Both morning after pills were found to be safe in medical trials.

In very rare cases, some patients develop an allergic reaction to the hormone in the morning after pill. If you encounter symptoms of an allergic reaction, see a doctor without delay. Signs of an allergic reaction can include an itchy rash or facial swellings.

Myths and Facts

Myth: The morning after pill is dangerous.

Fact: Like all other medication, the morning after pill was tested in extensive clinical trials. It does not affect your fertility in the long run and has not been found to have a lasting effect on your body. However, you should not take it on a regular basis, it is for emergencies only.

Myth: Taking the morning after pill is like having an abortion.

Fact: The morning after pill does not cause an abortion and it won’t work if you are already pregnant. Like the normal contraceptive pill, the morning after pill prevents the egg from implanting in the womb, thus preventing pregnancy instead of terminating it. However, in the case of EllaOne, it is not known what the effect on a foetus might be so you should not take it if there is any chance that you may already be pregnant.

Myth: The morning after pill is as effective as the contraceptive pill.

Fact: While emergency contraceptive pills drastically reduce your risk of getting pregnant after unprotected sex, they are less effective than regular methods of contraception such as the pill and the condom. You should always use protection when you have sex and use the morning after pill in emergencies only.

Myth: Taking the morning after pill means I am protected for several days.

Fact: The morning after pill prevents pregnancy after an episode of unprotected sex but it does not provide any protection during the following days. You need to use contraception the next time you have sex.

For women who have recently had birth control fail them, or may have forgotten it altogether, the morning after pill can be a life saver. Emergency contraception, such as Plan B or ella, should never be relied on as your main form of birth control, but can be extraordinarily helpful if something happens and you end up needing to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. It is important to note that the morning after pill is NOT the same as an abortion pill. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy, while abortion terminates an existing pregnancy.

Taking the morning after pill can be a little scary if you don’t know what to expect. Many women wonder how the pill will affect their next period, especially because they’re eager to get it and confirm they’re not pregnant. Let’s take a look at what your first period after emergency contraception will look like.

What can you expect for your first period following the morning after pill?

The way the morning after pill works is by delivering a high dose of a hormone called levonorgestrel, a type of progestin or artificial progesterone. When your body gets bombarded with this hormone, it can affect your period (and entire menstrual cycle) in a few different ways:

Timing: Your first period after taking emergency contraception may follow your normal schedule. It is common, however, to get it either about a week early or a week late. If your period is two weeks late or more, you should consider taking a pregnancy test.
Duration: Your period may last longer than usual after taking emergency contraception.
Flow: Some women experience a lighter or heavier flow during their first period after the morning after pill. Heavier flow is more common than lighter.

Next period vs. morning after pill spotting

After taking emergency contraception, it is normal to experience some light bleeding or spotting as an effect of the extra hormones. It is important to note that this bleeding is not the same as your period. Here’s what you can expect from any morning after pill bleeding:

Timing: Any bleeding from the morning after pill will start within a few days after taking it.
Duration: If you do bleed, it will only last a day or two, or occasionally slightly longer.
Flow: Morning after pill bleeding will be very light, possibly even just a few spots.
Other potential side effects: The hormones in the morning after pill can also cause side effects like abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, fatigue, breast tenderness, and dizziness. These should subside within a few days.

If you find yourself in need of the morning after pill, South Avenue Women’s can help. Our medical professionals can help you access emergency contraception and then set you up with a reliable birth control option. If you missed the window for emergency contraception and are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, we can also can provide information about and perform safe, confidential, and effective abortion services if you decide that’s what is right for you.

Call us today at 585-271-3850 to schedule an appointment with our caring team members!

Does morning after pill affect period?

The emergency contraceptive pill can make your next period earlier, later or more painful than usual. If you're sick (vomit) within 2 hours of taking Levonelle or 3 hours of taking ellaOne, go to your GP, pharmacist or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic, as you'll need to take another dose or have an IUD fitted.

Does the morning after pill stop your period for that month?

Why did the morning after pill stop my period?

Levonorgestrel is found in birth control pills, but Plan B contains a higher dose that can alter your body's 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.