Does Unwanted 72 or IPill delay your periods?

When you take an emergency contraceptive pill like Unwanted 72 or Ipill, your next period or menstrual cycle may get early or delayed. It is a normal side effect of an emergency contraceptive pill. However, for most women, the period should generally start around their regular time. However, if your periods are delayed for more than three weeks after taking the Ipill, you should check pregnancy at home to make sure you are not pregnant. 

Let's read some more information about these pills. 

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) such as Unwanted 72 and Ipill are easily available across the counter. They are safe only if you use them properly. Needless to say, if you abuse morning after pills, due to whatever reasons, it may affect your body adversely. Here are some facts to consider before you consume them.

1. ECPs are used to prevent pregnancy, not end one
   Morning after pills help in delaying the fertilisation of the egg or its implantation in the uterus. It is NOT a method for abortion. They can only help to stop pregnancy if taken within 72 hours and not terminate it.
2. ECPs are not a regular method of birth control
   Morning after pills or ECPs should be used only in emergencies. It is always advisable to use condoms. If your condoms break during sex or you run out of your regular form of contraception, ECPs are advisable. However, don’t make it a regular method. It comes with the risk of side effects.
3. ECPs should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex
   For your ECP to work and avoid pregnancy, you need to consume it within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The name ‘morning after pill’ is a misnomer. The chances until 120 hours are still strong. However, we recommend you to take immediately after unsafe intercourse. The sooner the better.
4. They do not protect you against STIs
   As stated earlier, morning after pills only help in preventing unplanned pregnancy. They don’t protect you from STIs or HIV. If you’ve had risky unprotected sex, you may contract an STI. So get yourself tested.
5. ECPs are not effective on already pregnant women 
   If you’re already pregnant and decide to consume the pill to terminate it or avoid that pregnancy, you’re are misinformed. However, having an ECP during pregnancy doesn’t harm your foetus.
6. ECPs can result in side-effects for some women
   Some common side effects of morning after pills are nausea, vomiting, headaches, fatigue, breast tenderness and abdominal pain and cramps. Frequent use of ECPs can also affect your menstrual cycle.
7. ECPs are easily available
   Morning after pills or ECPs are easily available across the counter at your regular chemist shops. It can be bought without prescription.
8. Morning after pills are not 100 per cent effective
   One must take a pregnancy test if you do not get your period three weeks after taking the pill to make sure there is no ongoing pregnancy. These pills are not always safe and you may get pregnant even after taking them.
9. ECPs may lack efficacy in obese women
   Studies have shown that the effectiveness of these drugs is significantly reduced in overweight women and the success rate is lesser. However, this claim is still being researched and there is chance that increased dosage might work.
10. ECPs can be used by lactating mothers
    If you have a new-born and you’re worried about using ECP, you should know that they do not deteriorate the quality of breast milk or have any negative impact on the infant.

Finally, use of ECPs is an emergency measure but one must consult the doctor to make sure there is no trace of any unwanted pregnancy leading to complications at a later stage.

The person in the picture is a model. This article was first published on May 16, 2017. 

Do you have more facts or myths to share about morning after pills? Join the conversation on Facebook. If you have a question, please visit our discussion forum.