Do Emergency Contraceptives and Menstrual Inducers Affect Your Cycle?

Will menstrual induction medications affect the next menstrual cycle?

On January 9, I took the emergency contraceptive pill.
My period started on January 15.
On February 24, due to a delayed period, I visited a gynecologist who prescribed a three-day course of medication to induce menstruation.
My period started on March 3.
I would like to know if this month's menstrual cycle will be affected by the emergency contraceptive pill and the medication to induce menstruation.

C, 10~19 year old female. Ask Date: 2022/03/31

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology

Hello, the emergency contraceptive pill may affect your menstrual cycle by causing it to arrive earlier or later.
However, since your cycle has been irregular recently, it is advisable to take appropriate contraceptive measures.
Thank you! Wishing you safety and health, Dr.
Chang.

Reply Date: 2022/03/31

More Info

Emergency contraceptives (ECs) and menstrual inducers can indeed affect your menstrual cycle, but the extent of this impact can vary from person to person. Let's break down how each of these medications works and their potential effects on your cycle.

Emergency Contraceptives
Emergency contraceptives, such as Plan B (levonorgestrel) or Ella (ulipristal acetate), are designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. They work primarily by delaying ovulation, which means they can alter the timing of your menstrual cycle. After taking an emergency contraceptive, some women may experience changes in their menstrual cycle, including:
1. Timing of Menstruation: Your period may come earlier or later than expected. For some, it may arrive within a week of when it normally would, while for others, it may be delayed by several days.

2. Flow and Symptoms: The flow may be lighter or heavier than usual, and some women report experiencing more intense cramps or other PMS symptoms.

Menstrual Inducers
Menstrual inducers, such as medications that contain progesterone or other hormonal agents, are used to bring on a period, especially if it is delayed. These medications can also influence your cycle in several ways:
1. Timing: If you take a menstrual inducer, it can prompt your body to shed the uterine lining, leading to a period. This can reset your cycle, making it start earlier than it might have otherwise.

2. Cycle Regularity: Depending on the hormonal composition of the menstrual inducer, it may help regulate your cycle in the long term, but it can also cause temporary irregularities.

Your Situation
In your case, you took an emergency contraceptive on January 9, and your period started on January 15. This suggests that the EC may not have significantly delayed your cycle. However, since you also took a menstrual inducer prescribed by your doctor on February 24, this could have further influenced your cycle. You reported that your period started on March 3, which indicates that the menstrual inducer was effective in prompting menstruation.

Conclusion
Given that you have taken both an emergency contraceptive and a menstrual inducer within a short timeframe, it is likely that both medications have had some effect on your menstrual cycle. The emergency contraceptive may have caused a temporary shift in your cycle, while the menstrual inducer likely prompted your period to start.

In general, it is not uncommon for hormonal medications to cause fluctuations in menstrual cycles. If you notice significant changes in your cycle over the next few months or have concerns about irregularities, it would be advisable to consult with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance based on your health history and any ongoing symptoms you may experience.
Overall, while both medications can affect your cycle, these changes are usually temporary, and your cycle should normalize over time.

Similar Q&A

Do Emergency Contraceptive Pills Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?

Doctor, I would like to ask, I previously took emergency contraceptive pills, but my menstrual period has been coming about half a month early. I am wondering if this is due to the contraceptive pills or if there is another issue with my body.

Dr. Zhao Chengxiang reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Emergency contraceptive pills contain high doses of progestin, which can affect menstrual cycles due to the medication. If you have any other concerns, please consult a healthcare provider in person.

Does Emergency Contraceptive Pill Affect Your Next Menstrual Cycle?

I took emergency contraception on December 1st after having unprotected intercourse the day before. My period started on December 7th, but now on January 14th, my period has not arrived. I would like to know if taking the emergency contraception in December could affect my menstr...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, sometimes emergency contraceptive pills can affect your menstrual cycle. If you still haven't gotten your period after a week, it is advisable to see a gynecologist. Wishing you good health.

Does Emergency Contraceptive Affect Menstrual Cycle and Pregnancy?

Hello doctor, my girlfriend usually gets her period around the middle of the month. The last time was on February 15, and this month it is expected on March 14 (she feels that it is coming soon). We had unprotected intercourse and I ejaculated outside, and she took the emergency ...

Dr. Cao Guotao reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the chances are low, but emergency contraceptive pills can sometimes cause irregular menstruation. Wishing you good health.

Impact of Emergency Contraceptive Pills on Menstrual Cycle Timing

Hello, my menstrual cycle usually starts around the 30th of each month or the 1st of the following month. However, my last period began on May 26th. On June 22nd, I had intercourse with my boyfriend using a condom, but it got stuck at the vaginal opening when we pulled out. I was...

Dr. Zhang Kunmin reply Obstetrics and Gynecology
Hello, the irregularity of your menstrual cycle may affect the timing of ovulation, meaning it may not occur earlier or on schedule this time. Additionally, the effects of emergency contraception on your menstrual cycle can vary; it may not necessarily cause your period to come e...