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Until I needed it myself, I was completely unaware that so many women close to me had used Emergency Contraception or the “morning after pill”. At the time, it was very reassuring to hear my friends’ experiences, and because so many women on the EmpowHER website ask questions regarding EC, I thought I would share my own experience and try to provide some answers to general concerns women have after taking the pill.
My need for EC was the result of a mistake many couples make when using condoms. (Now YOU definitely won’t!) Instead of pulling out after his orgasm, my partner remained inside me and when his erection shrank, the condom fell off. I immediately knew that despite my aversion to unnatural hormones, I had no choice but to use Emergency Contraception. First rule of thumb: when in doubt, just take the pill! It’s much less expensive than an abortion or a baby.
I headed to Walgreens and was quickly helped by a pharmacist who seemed quite used to seeing disheveled young women asking for the drug. Anyone over the age of 17 is now able to acquire EC without a prescription, thanks to the recent work of dedicated women's health activists. The brand of EC I received was called Next Choice, an option that contains 2 doses of Levonorgestrel (a hormone commonly used in birth control pills), to be taken 12 hours apart. Another common brand is the Plan B One-Step, consisting of only one pill.
Sitting in the parking lot, I carefully read all the directions on the Next Step package and swallowed the pill. I knew I was well within the time constraints of the pill’s effectiveness (3 days or 72 hours), but because the earlier you take the drug the more effective it will be, I still felt hurried. All day I awaited side effects like dizziness, nausea, or headache, but none came. 12 hours after my first dose, I took the 2nd pill – still feeling just fine.
2 days after I took the pills, I began to feel some cramping. Although it was not yet time in my cycle, I experienced a very light, 3-day period.* Because early stages of pregnancy can also cause similar symptoms, just in case I also took a pregnancy test to confirm. Negative! Though it took about 2 months until my menstrual cycle was regular again, it was clear that the Next Choice pill had done its job with minimal side effects. Sometimes, drugs truly are miracles.
Please feel free to share your own experience with EC, or ask any questions about mine! If there’s interest, I’d love to provide more details about how the drug works and its common side effects. I also (as always) recommend doing your own research on the pill. Planned Parenthood's website is a great place to start: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-4363.htm
* Important clarification: EC is not the abortion pill. If you are already pregnant, the hormone will not have any effect on a fetus. Instead, Levonorgestrel can prevent ovulation, thicken your vaginal discharge making it less penetrable to sperm, and help shed your uterine lining to prevent implantation of an egg – resulting in the common side effect of a period-like bleeding.
Sources: http://www.mynextchoice.com/Consumer/whatis_Main.asp
Add a Comment182 Comments
Please advice me, I'm breastfeeding mother to my 8 months daughter. I have with mu husband on 25th June 16 and ate morning pill on 29th June 16. On 5th July 16, I have 2 days light bleeding. The bleeding is my first period after dellivered my baby. Until now my menstrual period still not come. Is it I'm pregnant. I'm very stress.
August 9, 2016 - 11:54pmThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
I can appreciate your stress. breast feeding does not protect you from becoming pregnant. You took the morning after pill four days after intercourse, which was rather late for it to be effective. You have not had a period since giving birth.
The two days of light bleeding could have been implantation bleeding, which occurs about six to 12 days following conception.
You can take an early response pregnancy test tomorrow morning or call your gynecologist/obstetrician today for advice.
Regards,
August 10, 2016 - 9:22amMaryann
This Comment
Hello
August 3, 2016 - 11:12amPlease answer this
I had an unprotected sex on 19th of July and my last period was on 6th July. I took morning after pill 12hours after I had sex. And I had light bleeding for 5 days from 25th July. Is that bleeding from the pill or my period ? I'm really worry
This Comment
Hello Anonymous,
How long is your menstrual cycle? When is your next period due?
If you have a 28 to 30 day menstrual cycle, and your next period was due around August 6, this bleeding which started on July 25 was caused by the morning after pill.
Changes to the menstrual cycle are one reported side effect of the pill. Your next period can start earlier or later than expected.
There is nothing for you to worry about.
August 4, 2016 - 9:07amMaryann
This Comment
My menstrual cycle usually about 30 days. Because my period last two months are on 6th. Am I pregnant ? :( now it's 6th august and I still haven't get my period.
August 5, 2016 - 11:11amThis Comment
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for that information. You are not pregnant as proven by the bleeding.
However, taking the ECP may have caused a hormonal imbalance resulting in the delay of your period for August. Consider speaking with your gynecologist about this.
Maryann
August 6, 2016 - 8:18amThis Comment
So the bleeding after took emergency contraceptive pill means that I am not pregnant right? Thank you for your response I'm hopefully my next period will come as soon as possible :)
August 7, 2016 - 6:15amThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
Yes, that is correct. Do not be surprised if your next period starts earlier or later than expected. This is a side effect of the pill which some women experience.
Maryann
August 8, 2016 - 8:49amThis Comment
Hi everyone.
I'm so worried right now. I had my period on July 2 and it lasted about a week. On July 16 my boyfriend ejaculated outside of my vagina. He never penetrated me but it landed around my pubic area. We were very concerned so I took Escapelle on July 17th. I experienced bleeding on July 22 and lasted about 5 to 6 days. I took a pregnancy test on July 28 & 30 but both results were negative. I'm just wondering whether I could still get pregnant. Please help. I'm feeling so depressed right now. Thanks!
August 3, 2016 - 9:26amThis Comment
Hello Anonymous,
The bleeding, which lasted about 5 to 6 days, proved Escapelle worked to prevent pregnancy. You are not pregnant.
Maryann
August 3, 2016 - 9:31amThis Comment