Nowadays, we have experienced an enormous change in our lifestyle and attitude. Even the sexual ecosystem has shown a dramatic change. With these ups and downs in our life, the kind of extreme and emergency situations we face have unknowingly grabbed us.
This has enlightened us to get solutions for all odds, and one of the unknown events in which women experience a lot is unplanned pregnancies. Here comes an I-pill as a well-introduced emergency contraceptive tablet or after morning pill. It is used to provide protection for women against these needs, but studies prove that these pills should not be confused as abortion tablets.
It is advised to take this pill orally within 24 to 72 hours after having unprotected sex or when they suspected usage of a broken condom or even when you skipped the regular contraceptive tablet for more effective results. However, along with all the positive impacts, side effects of the i-Pill on periods are mentioned below.
What Are The Side Effects Of Emergency Contraceptives?
As per studies, emergency contraceptive pills are an instant solution if other contraceptive methods fail as it contains an active component Levonorgestrel. It works by blocking hormones that promote pregnancy, such as luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormones (FSH), and initiates in delaying the ovulation cycle.
It works by slowing down the maturation process of eggs and formulating the hormones responsible for the release of ovarian eggs, or during early release; the pill can even disrupt the fertilization process of egg and sperm. However, with all such positives and safety, a few waves of drawbacks also come.
Some of them are mild, which may resolve after a couple of days of taking the I-pill. However, these emergency contraceptive pills should not be consumed on a regular basis because they are strong enough to disrupt your normal hormone cycle in the body.
Although, according to the studies, regular use of i-Pills can induce various side effects. Some of the commonly occurring side effects of the i-Pill on periods and your body are:
1. Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding/ Withdrawal Bleeding After i-Pill
This heavy bleeding for two to three days is considered normal, but beyond that can be a severe problem that will need medical attention and care. Drastic changes are observed in women's menstrual cycle as the i-Pills disturb the menstrual cycle by causing abnormal or no periods. You may even observe a few changes in the vaginal discharge that are unusual and unexpected.
2. Nausea and Headache
A few of them often experience a slight increase in the intensity of headaches or migraines, along with a continuous sense of uneasiness and tiredness. It causes dehydration in the body due to frequent vomiting and a sense of discomfort.
3. Spike in Abdominal Pain
It also causes abdominal pain, especially in the areas of the stomach, which may further even lead to constipation, weakness, and body ache. This increase in fatigue level introduces your body to excessive heavy thoughts, which cause stress.
4. Bloating or Shrinking of Body Weight
Increased fluid retention or body weight may occur because of fat or muscle growth due to I-pills. Whereas, some women, on the other hand, even may lose weight while consuming these emergency contraceptive pills.
5. Allergies and Simultaneous Intake of Few Medicines Can Cause Drastic Effects
Some women can be allergic to Levonorgestrel which can induce rashes on the skin. When the I-pill interferes with other medications, it can lead to some severe adverse conditions such as epilepsy, HIV, fungal infections, or even tuberculosis because it can reverse the effects of the medicines.
Therefore, it is advised that one should consult the doctor before consuming any type of emergency contraceptive pill.
Also Read: I Pill Side Effects on Future Pregnancy? Answered by a Doctor!
Withdrawal Bleeding After Ipill
As with a period, withdrawal bleeding occurs when hormone levels drop.
Both cases involve shedding of mucus and lining of the uterus due to a decrease in hormones.
Withdrawal bleeding tends to be lighter and shorter than a period. The reason for this is that the synthetic hormones in the contraceptive prevent the uterine lining from thickening during the menstrual cycle.
In most cases, women will experience withdrawal bleeding within two to four weeks after stopping hormonal birth control. If you experience withdrawal bleeding, your natural menstrual period should come back the following month. Typically, the period will be heavier and longer than the withdrawal period. Additionally, you may experience a few symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
It may take a few months for your period to become a monthly occurrence. Underlying medical conditions and other factors, such as stress and exercise, may alter the regularity of your periods.
When you stop taking hormonal birth control, you're no longer protected from pregnancy. If you don't plan on getting pregnant, you should switch to another form of contraception as soon as possible.
To ensure your body is ready for pregnancy, you should wait until you've had at least one natural period. This can help you ensure that your body is healthy, and your doctor will be able to establish an accurate due date if you become pregnant.
Does The Emergency Contraceptive Pill Affect Periods?
As per the studies, there are various commonly occurring side effects of the i-Pill on periods. Women usually experience an early or later arrival of periods as per their actual date. This delay in period attracts and associates menstrual cramps along with severe abdominal pain.
Emergency contraceptive pills being one of the safest solutions for preventing unplanned pregnancy, show a significant change in the normal pattern of the menstrual cycle. Usually, a normal rest period between two-period cycles is twenty-eight days, but while a woman takes an emergency contraceptive pill, it changes by the length of plus two days or minus two days.
Some of the changes studied in the research are mentioned below:
- The period comes earlier if the emergency contraceptive pill is consumed during the first three weeks of the period cycle.
- If consumed in the fourth week of the menstrual cycle, then the period may arrive at the actual date but with abnormal Withdrawal Bleeding After i-Pill, which is more than usual bleeding.
- Whereas no such drastic change is observed when the emergency contraceptive pill is consumed within a couple of days before or after the date of ovulation.
However, one should always make sure to be confirmed after taking the emergency contraceptive pill. Because if you observe a delay of more than seven days, then you should consult a doctor to ensure the results of the I-pill.
Therefore, before consuming any of the emergency contraceptive pills, you should know all about the positive points and side effects of the i-Pill on periods and your body.
References
- Erin Gainer, Bruno Kenfack, August 2008; Menstrual bleeding patterns following levonorgestrel emergency contraception - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1934349/
- Canadian Paediatric Society, Match 2003; Emergency contraception - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2792670/
