Birth Control Methods: Emergency Contraception Pill / Question
Published: September 26, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
About a week ago I went to Planned Parenthood and was prescribed emergency contraception. I took the pills as directed by the doctor, but I did not experience the major side effects such as nausea and vomiting. However, I did feel sleepy and there was some spotting. Now the thing is, two days ago I started bleeding. I don't think this is my period because I had just finished it two weeks ago. I did have the frequent urge to urinate, but that seemed to have tampered off. Is the bleeding a side effect of the ecp? Please help!!
Signed: Bleeding After Emergency Contraception
Dear Bleeding After Emergency Contraception,
It sounds as though your body responded to the emergency contraception pills (ECPs) in the same way that most women's bodies do. After taking ECPs, some women get their period early, and some women have irregular bleeding that is not really their period. The duration of the irregular bleeding is not predictable. You should have another, normal period within the next month. If not, you should take a pregnancy test just to make sure you're not pregnant and follow-up with your physician just to make sure everything is ok. Because ECPs throw your normal hormone levels out of balance, it is understandable that they might mess up your period for a little bit.
Some women do not experience any side effects from ECPs, so the fact that you did not get nauseous or vomit is perfectly normal. Only about 50% of women who take combined ECPs experience nausea and 20% vomit. Other common side effects of ECPs include fatigue, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness. TeenHealthFX does not know if your frequent urge to urinate had something to do with taking the ECPs. Since this symptom has gone away, it probably is not anything serious. If it recurs, a doctor should check you out.
Since you are obviously engaging in a sexual relationship, please remember to practice safer sex and practice effective birth control methods. While emergency contraception is an important option to have, it should not be used as a primary method of birth control.
Only a doctor's examination can really determine whether or not the bleeding you experienced is a side effect of the ECP (which is most likely the case) or is due to something else. A teen health clinic can see teens for sexual health reasons confidentially, without your parent's permission and on a low/no cost basis. If you live in the Northern New Jersey area you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health at 973.971.6475 for an appointment with a doctor there. You can also call Planned Parenthood.
Check out these two links for a more detailed look at Emergency Contraception:
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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