Expert: DW - 6/11/2007

Question
Hello, I took the morning after pill on May 31st, and I got my period a few days later. My period came nearly 5 days early. I usually have my period for about 5 days, and by the 5th day it gets darker, and lighter. It has been nearly a week and my period hasnt ended. Its not heavy, there is a bit of spotting and a very light flow but it is still bright red.
Is this normal? It was my first time taking the morning after pill and I got no side effects at the time (like nausea).
Thank you.

Answer
Hi K,
Thanks for your question. I am not a medical doctor but in my opinion, I would never recommend the morning after pill or Plan B. Please go to http://www.optionline.org/map.html
for more information. Here is some info right from the website but not the complete article. Please let me know what you think. You can email me at DCHERYL51@yahoo.com

"If a woman is pregnant or suspects she is pregnant, she should not take the pills, according to the manufacturers of Plan B®.

Plan B® is a relatively new drug, and as a result there has not been much testing on its effect on the body.  Some of the commonly reported side effects are nausea, abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, menstrual changes, dizziness, breast tenderness, and vomiting.ii  After taking Plan B® it is not uncommon to have an irregular period.iii  This could mean heavier bleeding, lighter bleeding, or a delayed period.iv  It can take time before your body will go back to normal and stabilize itself.


Women who have diabetes should be monitored while taking Plan B,v and women with pelvic inflammatory disease should not take Plan B, except under a physician’s careful monitoring.vi  Unfortunately, a lot of women don’t know if they have diabetesvii and/or don’t know if they have pelvic inflammatory disease.   

After taking Plan B® there is also an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.viii  An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is occurring anywhere outside of the uterus.  The most common type of ectopic pregnancy is sometimes referred to as a tubal pregnancy because it is one that is occurring in the woman’s fallopian tube.  If this goes unnoticed, a woman could be at serious risk.  Even a small delay in diagnosing an ectopic pregnancy can be fatal.ix

Plan B® does not protect against HIV infection (AIDS) or other sexually transmitted diseases.x  It is generally recommended that any sexually active woman seek testing for sexually transmitted diseases."

Please let me know what you think.

Sincerely,
Diane Cheryl
DCHERYL51@yahoo.com