I'll give you the "long version" answer, since you sound knowledgeable and curious.
Plan B's side effects do include "irregular cycles" as you know, and many women interpret that as just their periods being "off"...but the reason you have a period is because you have ovulated (for most women), the egg was not fertilized, and the lining of your uterus that was building up for implantation is no longer needed and sheds.
This means that yes, Plan B can slightly alter your cycle, which does include ovulation. The hormones in Plan B are the same that are in other hormonal contraceptives (the pill, the ring, etc), but is like a "mega dose" of hormones. These hormones work in several ways: changing the lining of the uterus to be less "inviting" for a fertilized egg, prevents an egg from being released (ovulation), changing cervical mucus so that sperm have a more difficult time entering. All of these are the reasons that Plan B (and other hormonal contraceptives) are so effective, and also are the reason that women do not know when they ovulate if they are not consistent with their pills (or, if you take Plan B, which is designed for just emergency situations).
With all that said, if you did conceive on June 18th, then it would be too early to test accurately now (June 24th). You would need to wait at least 10-14 days for a test to be accurate, as it takes this long for the process of ovulation through implantation to occur.
Please let us know if your period does begin in June, or if you decide to take a pregnancy test next week. We'll be thinking about you!
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That is a good question!
I'll give you the "long version" answer, since you sound knowledgeable and curious.
Plan B's side effects do include "irregular cycles" as you know, and many women interpret that as just their periods being "off"...but the reason you have a period is because you have ovulated (for most women), the egg was not fertilized, and the lining of your uterus that was building up for implantation is no longer needed and sheds.
This means that yes, Plan B can slightly alter your cycle, which does include ovulation. The hormones in Plan B are the same that are in other hormonal contraceptives (the pill, the ring, etc), but is like a "mega dose" of hormones. These hormones work in several ways: changing the lining of the uterus to be less "inviting" for a fertilized egg, prevents an egg from being released (ovulation), changing cervical mucus so that sperm have a more difficult time entering. All of these are the reasons that Plan B (and other hormonal contraceptives) are so effective, and also are the reason that women do not know when they ovulate if they are not consistent with their pills (or, if you take Plan B, which is designed for just emergency situations).
With all that said, if you did conceive on June 18th, then it would be too early to test accurately now (June 24th). You would need to wait at least 10-14 days for a test to be accurate, as it takes this long for the process of ovulation through implantation to occur.
Please let us know if your period does begin in June, or if you decide to take a pregnancy test next week. We'll be thinking about you!
June 24, 2010 - 1:58pmThis Comment
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