The "morning after" pill...

[Ein]

Hi everybody. Quick question.

Are there any long-term side effects to "morning after" pill? Any advice would be appreciated. :)

[kuju]

it's not the kind of thing that has "long-term" side effects.

You either get them, or not.

Here's the unofficial list.

regular periods, spotting, heavier OR lighter periods. Heavier OR lighter OR zero cramps, weight gain OR loss, unusual discharge (thicker or thinner)

If you experience any of the following, wait for three or four months to see if they go away... if they don't, switch pills.
breast tenderness
increased cramps
a weight gain of more than five pounds
a weight LOSS of more than five pounds. (though I know you won't report this)

if you experience any of the following, switch pills as soon as possible
soreness in your legs
migraines
body aches and pains
severe cramps

[BigJim]

or did she mean the emergency morning-after pill?

[Ein]

I meant the emergency contraception. And, It's not for me. :oops: :lol:
It's for my girlfriend. She's kind of paranoid about the side effects. ^_^

[BigJim]

taken from plannedparenthood.com:


Combination hormone ECPs induce nausea in 30-50 percent of women, and vomiting in 15-25 percent of women. Anti-nausea or anti-emetic medications taken one hour before the first ECP may reduce these side effects. Breast tenderness, fatigue, irregular bleeding, abdominal pain, headaches, and dizziness may also occur. These side effects usually taper off one or two days after the second ECP has been ingested (Van Look & Stewart, 1998; Knowles & Ringel, 1998; Raymond et al., 2000).

Nausea and vomiting are far less common using progestin-only ECPs than using the Yuzpe regimen (Van Look & Stewart, 1998). In the recent World Health Organization-supported study using levonorgestrel, nausea occurred in 23.1 percent of cases, and vomiting in 5.6 percent. Other side effects were also less common (Task Force on Postovulatory Methods of Fertility Regulation, 1998).

In about 10-15 percent of women treated, ECPs change the amount, duration, and timing of the next menstrual period. This effect is usually minor, and menstruation occurs a few days earlier or later than expected (Van Look & Stewart, 1998). If ECPs are used frequently, periods may become irregular and unpredictable (Knowles & Ringel, 1998).

Side effects of IUD insertion may include abdominal discomfort, vaginal bleeding or spotting, and infection. Possible side effects of IUD use include heavy menstrual flow, cramping, infection, infertility, and uterine puncture (Van Look & Stewart, 1998; Stewart, 1998).

Neither ECPs nor IUDs prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Many women who need emergency contraception are at risk of these infections. At heightened risk are those who have had unprotected sex in a non-monogamous relationship or with a new partner, those who use IV drugs or have a partner who does, and victims of sexual assault. For those at risk of sexually transmitted infections, ECPs are likely to be a safer choice than IUD insertion (Knowles & Ringel, 1998). During IUD insertion, bacteria from a preexisting infection can be introduced into the sterile uterine cavity — untreated, such infections can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. HIV infection can also increase the risk of pelvic inflammatory disease associated with an IUD (Stewart, 1998).

Women should discuss with their clinicians any sign of pregnancy after using emergency contraception. The signs include a missed menstrual period, nausea, inexplicable fatigue, sore or enlarged breasts, headaches, and frequent urination (Cunningham et al., 1997).

Emergency contraception may not prevent ectopic pregnancy — pregnancies that develop outside the uterus. Ectopic pregnancies, left untreated, will cause complications that can cause death. Women should seek medical attention if they have signs of ectopic pregnancy, which include severe pain on one or both sides of the lower abdomen, abdominal pain and spotting, especially after a very light or missed menstrual period, and faintness or dizziness (Knowles & Ringel, 1998).

[Pudding]

well ive taken the emergency mornign after pill twice, and didnt get anything unusal for both times.

[kewlgal99]

basically the morning after pill flushes out your whole system, which can be hard on your body for a few days, but i don't think it has any long term effects unless you use it regularily (which you wouldn't want to, becuase it will make you feel sick oftentimes). if she needs it, have her use it once, and while shes there, pick up some birth control pills. their only side affects are everything kuju listed. :roll:

[Ein]

:)
Great! Exactly what I needed to know, and then some!

Danke! ^_^

[super_chevy2000]

I just took the emergency contraceptive "the morning after pill." It made me dizzy, my breasts got tender and I my lower stomach hurt a little bit.
According to the pamplet my Dr gave me other side affects are:
Headaches
Nausea
Spotting
The feeling that you are getting ready to come on your period for a couple of days after you take the pill.
All these affects wear off in a couple of days of taking the pill.
The only longterm affect if you would call it that, is her period might be about a week late starting. It can produce slight changes in her menstrual cycle for the month ahead.

[Tootsie Pop]

Its the worst pill you can ever take. Ever. However, the shitty effects only take their effect for about 2 weeks... then its back to normal. There are no long term side effects.

[kuju]

sorry about that... I misread your post... thought you were talking about birth control pills.

No real long term effects... but I've heard that if you take it OFTEN, as in *damn you're stupid, just get on birth control already* then it can reduce your chances of ever gettign prgenant.

[SoSweetAngel]

Everyone is different. I have taken it once, and they said it was a new one (tri-something) that didn't have such bad side-effects. I didn't have any - so I was ok. Some people react very badly to it though - but it's still better than 9 months of carrying a child followed by 18 years of looking after the little swine!

I hear it is bad for you to take it a lot though.

[Tootsie Pop]

... but I've heard that if you take it OFTEN[....]

There are ALOT of bad things that can happen if you take it often. Itll totally wreck your body. The only thing I clearly remember is "higher risk for tubal pregnancy when you become pregnant."
(I remember some other effects, but I dont want to post them until I am 100% sure...)
But it SHOULD NOT be the main form of birth control. If you take it once youll be fine. If you take it 4 and 5 times it is NOT good.