Emergency Contraceptive Pill - Sexual Health - General Message Board

worriedforher · 08-19-2003, 02:36 AM

Hi,
My gf had to take an emergency contraceptive pill (levonorgesterel) recently. (on the 10th day of her 30 day cycle). I would like to hear from women who have used this pill. Did you periods occur normally after taking the pill? Were they on time? Was the flow normal? Did it alter subsequent periods?
My gf has had extremely regular periods all her life, and she's worried that they may get messed up. She experienced mild nausea for a day after taking the pill, and a little vaginal dryness. All in all i think her body tolerated it well...just worried about the periods and the irregularities that may be associated with it.
Thanks!

Thisby · 08-19-2003, 06:36 AM

It may cause her period to come early this cycle, but it will go back to normal.

worriedforher · 08-19-2003, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the reply.

Another query... if the emergency pill supresses ovulation, doesnt that mean she will miss her period? Is there any chance of her missing her period and not being pregnant?

strand3d · 08-19-2003, 06:20 PM

Many women who use ECP experience very weird periods, so your girlfriend shouldn't be surprised if this happens. If you read up about ECP on Planned Parenthood's webpage, it says that ECP alters a woman's cycle, and ovulation, so she may experience random bleeding, or her period might show up randomly. As long as she took ECP within 72 hours of unprotected sex she has a very small chance of becoming pregnant, if she was even at risk to begin with.

If she misses a period, then take a home pregnant test, if it comes out negative then most likly she is not pregnant, but be aware that her cycle can be altered because of the ECP.

She should also seriously consider going on birth control so that she can avoid this problem in the future.

Thisby · 08-19-2003, 08:59 PM

Suppressed ovulation does not mean she will miss a period. Ovulation is just part of her cycle, no ovulation does not equal no period. If she completely misses her period I would be worried that she is pregnant. The usual complaint by women who have used ECP is that it brings on their period, never heard any one say they missed it.