My birth control failed on Dec. 3rd and I took the off-brand of Plan B (same Levonorgestrel mg dose of Plan B One-Step) an hour afterwards. Fast forward to 9 days later (Dec. 12th) and I am experiencing spotting (which I've never experienced before in my life). I know everyone reacts differently to emergency contraceptive, but has this been known to happen? I'm a little worried here.
Can you bleed 9 days after taking emergency contraceptive?
Question posted by lifeiscrazy100 on 12 Dec 2017
Last updated on 28 December 2017 by Anonymous
Added 12 Dec 2017:
It's no longer spotting anymore. Any time I wipe after peeing, it's reddish/brown...
Added 12 Dec 2017:The first initial wipe after going to the restroom. After I wipe once, I don't notice anything else.
Answers
Inactive
29 Dec 2017
I bled after taking Plan B for a second time in a week. Bleeding lasted 10 days, so yes you can.
LousArk
12 Dec 2017
Yep, that can certainly happen.
When was your last period from & until? Are they always regular?
lifeiscrazy100
12 Dec 2017
My last period was from Nov. 23rd-Nov.29th. They are always regular.
LousArk
12 Dec 2017
Plan B works by delaying your ovulation, until the sperm has left your body (can take up to a week).
If you're already ovulating, then it can't do that, & you'd need another form of emergency birth control; either the other pill called Ella/Ulipristal Acetate, or to have an IUD fitted by a doctor.
There is only about a week each month that you can get pregnant.
Most women who have regular monthly periods, ovulate somewhere around day 14 of their cycle. We'll say days 12-16, to be safe.
In the days leading up to your period, your cervical mucus changes in consistency, ready to save any sperm that enters your vagina, ready for when you ovulate (release an egg). This means that you can become pregnant from sex you had up to a week before ovulating.
As long as you aren't ovulating, Plan B has a chance of delaying your ovulation, until the sperm have left your body. Plan B is not as reliable as regular hormonal birth control, but it has a chance.
From the dates you've given, you should have had time for Plan B to do its thing.
I'd still do a pregnancy test if your period is late, as it's not impossible to bleed during pregnancy.
You should be fine, though. It's common to get bleed after using Plan B, & your actual period may be late, too. In fact, you can get lots of hormonal symptoms, as your body rids itself of the artificial hormone. For some women, this takes longer than for others.
LousArk
12 Dec 2017
*Very sorry, that should have read 'in the days leading up to your ovulation, rather than your period
Related topics
plan b one-step, birth control, emergency contraception, levonorgestrel, contraception, dosage, brand, emergency, contraceptives
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