Plan B and its effects the next cycle
Find a Conversation
Plan B and its effects the next cycle
| Wed, 03-15-2006 - 11:18pm |
I apologize for the length of this post, but I am a little concerned. A little over a month ago, while having sex with my girlfriend, the condom broke, and the next day we she took Plan B emergency contraceptive (this was about a week before she was supposed to have her period.) She ended up having it on time, and in the month since then we have been extremely careful with condom use (I even pull out every time.) However she is now about ten days late during this period. I was wondering if taking the plan B so late in her previous cycle could affect this one. It should also be noted that she took a plane trip to Florida over spring break around the time she was due to start. Also, she has experienced several of her PMS signs such as bloating and cramps, but has yet to start her period. She is too scared to take a PT yet, and we're just exploring the possibilities and likelihood of pregnancy considering these circumstances. I appreciate the help in advance!

I would think it would be possible for Plan B to affect her next cycle.
From not-2-late.com:
"Only one study has been specifically designed to assess the effects of progestin-only emergency contraceptive pills (a.k.a. ECPs, "morning after pills" or "day after pills") such as Plan B on bleeding patterns. It found that when taken in the first three weeks of the menstrual cycle, ECPs consisting of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel in a single dose significantly shortened that cycle as compared both to the usual cycle length and to the cycle duration in a comparison group of similar women who had not taken ECPs. The magnitude of this effect was greater the earlier the pills were taken. This regimen taken later in the cycle had no effect on cycle length, but it did cause prolongation of the next menstrual period. The ECPs had no effect on the duration of the second menstrual cycle after use, but the second period was prolonged. Intermenstrual bleeding was uncommon after ECP use, although more common than among women who had not taken ECPs. "
For your reference, a cycle starts at the beginning of the period and ends with the start of the following period.