Birth Control Methods: Emergency Contraception Pill / Question
Published: December 1, 2008
Dear TeenHealthFX,
My girl friend and I had sex when she was on the very end of her period. Because it was unprotected, she used Plan B later the same day. Several days after, she's on her period again. What's going on?
Signed: Girlfriend Got Period Right After Plan B
Dear Girlfriend Got Period Right After Plan B,
For those who may not know, Plan B is a type of emergency contraceptive (EC) that can prevent a pregnancy after contraceptive failure or unprotected sex. Plan B should not be confused with RU-486 (the abortion pill) – it will not work if you are already pregnant.
There can be various side effects from taking Plan B, such as nausea, abdominal pain, headache, dizziness, or breast tenderness. Some women will experience a change in their period, such as having a heavier or lighter period than normal, or a period that is earlier or later than normal.
If your girlfriend’s period has come early, most likely it is a side-effect of having taken Plan B. However, if she has any concerns about this, or continues to have an irregular period, FX recommends that she speak to her doctor as soon as possible.
Plan B is not recommended as an ongoing form of birth control. If you and girlfriend choose to have sex in the future, FX recommends that you practice using safer sex methods each and every time you have sex. This includes using a condom, as well as a back-up method of birth control, such as the pill or patch. To learn what birth control methods are best for you and your girlfriend, speak to your doctor or an adolescent medicine specialist.
If you don't have a doctor and live in northern
For more information about Plan B, please read the answer to “What Does the Emergency Contraceptive Pill Do?” under the Birth Control Methods of the Sexuality and Sexual Health section of the website.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens with untreated depression are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, leading to higher rates of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
