How long will my period be delayed after taking plan b

my girlfriend took plan b three times in one month, when will be the next time she gets her period?

There’s no way to know exactly when your girlfriend will get her period, because that depends on her body and her menstrual cycle. Taking Plan B (also called emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill) can temporarily change someone’s menstrual cycle, so your girlfriend’s period will probably be different for at least a month. 

There’s nothing harmful or dangerous about using the morning-after pill as often as needed. But it’s not the best method to use on a regular basis, because it doesn’t work as well as other types of birth control (like condoms or the pill). 

If you can, try to use a regular form of birth control whenever you have penis-in-vagina sex to prevent pregnancy. And don’t forget to protect yourself and your partner from STDs, too — condoms are the only type of birth control that also prevents STDs.  If you use a condom plus another method of birth control — like the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, or IUD — sex will be a lot safer and you won’t need to rely on Plan B. 

Learn more about different birth control methods here.

Tags: periods, emergency contraception, morning after pill, plan b

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How long will my period be delayed after taking plan b

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  5. My period is late after taking the morning after pill — should I be worried?

‘I forgot to take some pills during my last cycle. I missed at least two tablets. So, in a panic, I took the morning after pill 12 hours after having sex with my boyfriend. That was now two weeks ago! Since then, he’s worn a condom and I’ve taken my contraception… But I still haven’t had my period. I’m three days late and I’m very worried. Does that mean I’m pregnant? ’
Anonymous, 23
(forgotten pill)

What the expert says:

For some women, the morning after pill can cause your period to come early. In others, it’s the opposite — they may cause your period to come late. There’s no need to panic in either situation. You’ve made the right decision to use condoms since then, and to continue to take your oral contraceptive. Well done on being responsible.

The fear of getting pregnant and the hormonal changes, related to stress, may also be causing your period to be late, especially if you don’t have any symptoms that might indicate pregnancy (such as nausea, swollen breasts etc.). It’s a good idea to wait for a week after the expected date of your period before doing a pregnancy test to be sure the results are accurate – they can be easily found at a pharmacy. If the test comes back negative and you still don’t have your period, it’s advised that you make an appointment with your doctor so they can examine you. In case of any doubt, the doctor will prescribe a blood test to check your beta-hCG (hCG is the hormone secreted by the placenta), to find out what’s going on with your body.

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How long will my period be delayed after taking plan b

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So you’ve taken the morning after pill and you’re sure your period should have come by now, but there’s still no sign of it. What could it mean? Are you pregnant?

While your mind will probably jump straight to pregnancy, a late period doesn’t necessarily mean that’s the case. It’s a bit more complicated than that, especially if you’ve recently taken the emergency contraceptive pill.

A lot of you have been asking us if the morning after pill can delay your period, so we spoke to Julia Hogan, Nurse Consultant* for Marie Stopes UK, to get an expert opinion.

We know that a late period after taking the morning after pill is the last thing you want, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the morning after pill hasn’t been effective.

“The morning after pill can delay your next period but does not always do so. Your next period can even be early,” says Julia, “However, if your period is more than seven days late, you should do a pregnancy test.”

Should you be worried if the morning after pill delays your period?

“No, you shouldn’t be worried if the morning after pill delays your period as this can be a side effect,” says Julia.

“There are many reasons why your period might be delayed by more than seven days,” she continues. “Some people have irregular cycles so it can be hard to predict when the next period is due, but stress and weight loss can also affect the menstrual cycle. Other causes include menopause, polycystic ovaries, thyroid issues and diabetes.”

If your periods are irregular, or you’ve missed one altogether, it could be down to a range of factors. Find out more about why you might miss your period here.

Please speak to your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.

How long does the morning after pill typically delay your period?

“Typically the morning after pill will delay your period by a day or two, however, it can be up to one week,” says Julia.

We know there’s a lot riding on this one small pill and you’re probably feeling anxious if your period is late. There are a number of reasons this could be and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything as your menstrual cycle can vary from month or month.

We would, however, always advise that you speak to a healthcare professional like a pharmacist or a GP if you’re worried about anything, even if it’s just to put your mind at ease.

If your period is delayed for more than 7 days or is unusual in any way then you should seek medical advice from your healthcare provider.

If your period is later than seven days, does it mean you're pregnant?

“If your period is later than seven days it does not necessarily mean you are pregnant, but you should do a pregnancy test to rule it out,” says Julia.

Most pregnancy tests will be accurate 21 days after the unprotected sex took place, or from the first day of a missed period.

However as mentioned above, factors like stress, sudden weight loss, changing or coming off your contraceptive pill and changes in schedule can all have an affect on your menstrual cycle.

Did you know different phases of the menstrual cycle make you angry, horny, hungry? Find out more about your menstrual cycle here.

What should you do if you think you might be pregnant?

We know that trying to make a decision about an unplanned pregnancy is incredibly difficult, but there are many people who can help you make an informed decision.

“If you want to continue with the pregnancy then you will need to ring your GP so you can book in to see a midwife,” says Julia.

“If you need help to consider your options, you can contact Marie Stopes UK on 0345 300 8090 and book a telephone appointment with one of our counsellors who will talk you through your options . If you are sure that you want an abortion, the team will book you into a telephone consultation to start the process,” she continues.

What should you do if you think you might be pregnant during lockdown?

Dealing with the possibility of an unplanned pregnancy can be scary enough at the best of times, but we understand it could be even more worrying during a pandemic.

Don’t panic though, because essential health care services are still operating and will still be able to help you.

“If you think you may be pregnant during lockdown, you have options available to you, depending on whether you want to continue with the pregnancy or not,” says Julia, “during COVID-19, as much of this will be done remotely as possible to protect you.”

Worrying about a delayed period is rough, but there are many different reasons why it might not have come yet – many of which are not a cause for concern.

The length of your menstrual cycle can vary from month to month and things like stress and different sleeping patterns can also have an impact. As the morning after pill works by delaying ovulation, it makes sense that it may also push back your period by a couple of days.

Don’t jump to any conclusions and see if that pesky period arrives. Remember that you have options no matter what happens – it’s your body, your choice.

If you’ve taken the morning after pill and would like to share your experience, please do so by clicking the link below.

ellaOne® 30mg film-coated tablet contains ulipristal acetate and is indicated for emergency contraception within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Always read the label.

How many days can Plan B delay your period?

Using the morning-after pill may delay your period by up to one week. If you don't get your period within three to four weeks of taking the morning-after pill, take a pregnancy test. Normally, you don't need to contact your health care provider after using the morning-after pill.

Can Plan B Make your period late the next month?

Share This Taking Plan B (also called emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill) can temporarily change someone's menstrual cycle, so your girlfriend's period will probably be different for at least a month. There's nothing harmful or dangerous about using the morning-after pill as often as needed.

Can Plan B delay your period more than a week?

Typically there's about 14 days between when you ovulate and when you get your period. Because Plan B can delay ovulation by a few days, that 14-day countdown will also start later. Typically, Plan B doesn't delay your next period by more than a week.

Why am I late on my period after taking Plan B?

For some women, the morning after pill can cause your period to come early. In others, it's the opposite — they may cause your period to come late. There's no need to panic in either situation. You've made the right decision to use condoms since then, and to continue to take your oral contraceptive.