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Is Heavy Bleeding Normal After Taking Plan-B?

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Posted on Fri, 17 Jul 2015
Question: Hi,

I'm on a birth control pill and started my period like normal on Friday, 6/19. I took Plan B on Saturday morning as a backup for having sex without a condom on Friday night. My period typically stops by the following Wednesday (in this case 6/24) but I am still heavily bleeding. Is this normal after taking Plan B? If the bleeding continues, how long is considered "normal"? I should be starting my next period on 6/17.
Would appreciate any advice!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Riyanka Chail (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly visit a gynaecologist if bleeding is very heavy

Detailed Answer:
Hello madam,

Thanks for writing to HCM.
This is Dr.Riyanka glad to be helping you with your query.

Bleeding for 7 days after taking Plan B is considered as a normal side effect as morning after pills contain high levels of levonorgestrol (hormones). Due to this when the hormone levels in the blood increases the body presumes that the woman is pregnant though she is actually not . Once the hormone levels come down as they are cleared out of the system there is bleeding due to uterine shedding.
Its been 8 days since your periods have started. So bleeding may be expected for about three more days.

However, if the bleeding is very heavy such that you need to change pads every two hours along with associated cramps then you need to visit a Gynaecologist at the earliest to control the bleeding with medications like Tranexemic acid and Ethamsylate.

It will take some time for your body to get back to its normal regular menstrual cycle until you get your next periods which may occur a little early or later than the expected date. Kindly use condoms and regular birth control pills until then.

Hope this answers your query.
Take care.
Regards,
Dr.Riyanka
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Riyanka Chail

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 818 Questions

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Is Heavy Bleeding Normal After Taking Plan-B?

Brief Answer: Kindly visit a gynaecologist if bleeding is very heavy Detailed Answer: Hello madam, Thanks for writing to HCM. This is Dr.Riyanka glad to be helping you with your query. Bleeding for 7 days after taking Plan B is considered as a normal side effect as morning after pills contain high levels of levonorgestrol (hormones). Due to this when the hormone levels in the blood increases the body presumes that the woman is pregnant though she is actually not . Once the hormone levels come down as they are cleared out of the system there is bleeding due to uterine shedding. Its been 8 days since your periods have started. So bleeding may be expected for about three more days. However, if the bleeding is very heavy such that you need to change pads every two hours along with associated cramps then you need to visit a Gynaecologist at the earliest to control the bleeding with medications like Tranexemic acid and Ethamsylate. It will take some time for your body to get back to its normal regular menstrual cycle until you get your next periods which may occur a little early or later than the expected date. Kindly use condoms and regular birth control pills until then. Hope this answers your query. Take care. Regards, Dr.Riyanka