5 warning signs your emergency contraceptive didn’t work

So, you took Plan B, aka the morning-after pill, after a condom mishap. Now you’re anxiously ready and questioning: “Did it work?” “What if I’m pregnant?” “How would I even know?” 

The morning-after tablet is designed to stop being pregnant, not finish it, and when taken inside 72 hours, it’s fairly efficient. Nevertheless it’s not foolproof. Right here, we’ll stroll you thru the indicators that Plan B won’t have labored, what to be careful for, and what you are able to do in case you suspect issues didn’t go as deliberate. 

First, what’s Plan B, and the way does it work?

Plan B (levonorgestrel) is an emergency contraceptive that delays ovulation; in less complicated phrases, it prevents your egg from being launched so sperm gained’t have something to fertilise.

It’s simplest when taken inside 24–72 hours after unprotected intercourse, however the sooner you are taking it, the higher. In keeping with the World Well being Organisation (WHO), Plan B can scale back the chance of being pregnant by 89% if taken inside 72 hours.

It’s value mentioning that in case you’ve already ovulated, Plan B won’t cease being pregnant. And in case your physique doesn’t reply to it correctly, possibly due to timing, physique weight, or medicine interactions, it won’t do its job in any respect.

EXPLORE MORE: Morning-after pill: How often should women take this contraceptive?

So, what are the indicators that your emergency contraceptive didn’t work?

Let’s get into it. Listed below are some actual indicators your Plan B won’t have been efficient:

1. Your interval is over per week late

That is the most important crimson flag. In case your interval is greater than seven days late after taking Plan B, it is time to take a being pregnant check. Usually, your interval would possibly come earlier or later than ordinary because of the hormones within the tablet, however it ought to arrive inside per week of your anticipated date. If it doesn’t, don’t guess, pee on that stick.

2. Your interval is extraordinarily gentle or spotty

Whereas Plan B can mess along with your cycle, a really gentle or spotty interval, particularly if it’s means shorter than regular, may very well be an indication of implantation bleeding. This may occur about 6–12 days after conception. If you’re spotting and it doesn’t feel like your usual period, take word.

READ MORE: 10 early signs of pregnancy after a missed period

3. You’re feeling pregnant (sure, that’s a factor)

Tender breasts, fatigue, nausea (particularly within the morning), and even meals aversions are all early indicators of being pregnant. If these signs present up a few weeks after you took Plan B, your physique may be attempting to let you know one thing.

4. You took Plan B too late

Timing is every part. In case you took it greater than 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, its effectiveness drops considerably. By 5 days (120 hours), it might not work in any respect. In case you suspect you’re outdoors the protected window, Plan B won’t be your backup anymore; it’s only a placebo at that time.

5. You threw up shortly after taking it

In case you vomited inside 2 hours of taking Plan B, there’s a excessive probability your physique didn’t soak up the medicine. This implies you didn’t truly get the safety you had been relying on. On this case, medical doctors suggest taking one other dose instantly.

What to do in case you suspect Plan B didn’t work

So now you’ve obtained a late interval, otherwise you’re coping with bizarre signs and stressing. What subsequent?

1. Take a being pregnant check: Wait no less than 2–3 weeks after the incident or 1 week after your missed interval. House being pregnant assessments are broadly obtainable in Nigeria, they usually’re fairly correct.

2. Go to the hospital: If the check is optimistic, schedule an appointment rapidly. If it’s unfavorable however your cycle remains to be appearing unusual, it’s nonetheless value checking in with a health care provider.

3. Contemplate long-term choices: If emergency contraception appears like a daily occasion in your life, it may be time to speak about extra dependable, long-term contraception. There are many choices in Nigeria at present, from tablets to injectables to implants.

In case you suppose your Plan B didn’t work, don’t panic. Get the information, take motion, and don’t hesitate to see a health care provider.

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