Morning After Pill Problems

Minor Problems and Side Effects

Some minor side effects and problems have been identified by users of the morning after pill, also called Plan B. These effects are similar to those from other birth control pill side effects and include:

• Nausea or stomach pain
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Breast tenderness

Persons who experience nausea and end up vomiting within an hour or so of taking the pill should call their doctor. It may be necessary to retake the dose in order to have the hormones take effect.

Side effects usually last only a day or two. Speak with a physician if nausea or breast tenderness occurs up to several weeks after taking the pill as it may still be possible to be pregnant. These two side effects are also early pregnancy symptoms. Although highly effective, the morning after pill is not 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancies, which can be a problem.

Women who take the emergency contraceptive may find their menstrual cycles somewhat different. They may experience spotting or light bleeding before their next period. The next period may be earlier or later than expected. Bleeding can also be lighter or heavier than normal.

Serious Side Effects

A few serious side effects have been noted for users of emergency contraceptives. See a doctor immediately if any of the following symptoms occur:

• Severe abdominal pains
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pains
• Severe headaches
• Blurred vision or other eye problems
• Leg or arm pain/numbness

If a woman experiences any of these symptoms, she should call a doctor or 911 immediately.

Avoiding Morning After Pill Problems

Women can avoid morning after pill complications by making sure to use it properly. Women who have known allergies to ingredients in the pill, including levonorgestrel, should not take the pill. If a woman wants to take the pill but has any of the following health issues, she should consult with a physician before taking it:

• Heart attack/cardiac issues
• Cancers of the genitals or breast
• Blood clotting problems
• Kidney or cardiovascular disease
• Diabetes
• Breastfeeding/given birth in past 6 weeks
• Undiagnosed vaginal bleeding

The morning after pill does not prevent the transmission of STDs or HIV/AIDS. Only barrier methods like the condom can prevent diseases.

Pregnant After the Morning After Pill

Although emergency contraceptives like the morning after pill have been shown to have over 75 perent effectiveness when taken in the first 72 hours of unprotected sex, there is still a chance that an unwanted pregnancy will occur. Women who are more than a few days late on their period should take a home pregnancy test.

Using the pill after a pregnancy has all ready been confirmed will not cause an abortion. Instead, women should look into their options for unwanted pregnancy to decide what to do next.

Birth Control Methods

Women should not rely on the morning after pill as their only method of birth control. Using a safe and effective method of birth control can prevent needing an emergency contraceptive and avoid morning after pill problems.

Birth control options are a personal choice. Hormonal options include IUD, patch, pill, ring, and shot. Non-hormonal methods include condoms, natural family planning, and the sponge.

Relying solely on the morning after pill to avoid pregnancy is not recommended. Women who have trouble affording a regular form of birth control may be able to get cheap generic birth control pills or even free birth control.

The FDA approved over-the-counter access for women over 18 to the morning after pill because it has few serious problems associated to it. Problems that do occur are often minor and serious ones are rare. When taken properly, pregnancy can be avoided in most situations.