Does the morning-after pill delay menstruation?

The morning-after pill is a contraceptive method that can be effective for up to 72 hours after intercourse without precautions. It works against pregnancy and can dramatically decrease the chances of a pregnancy happening.

The active ingredient in the morning-after pill is  levonorgestrel , a type of   synthetic progesterone (the female hormone used in contraceptives). Compared to contraceptives that are taken daily, the morning after pill contains up to 20 times more hormones.

The synthetic hormone prevents or slows the egg out of the ovary, or it can make it difficult for sperm to enter the uterus. Thus, the pill prevents fertilization from occurring (union of the sperm with the egg).

But what many people ask is: does the morning-after pill delay menstruation? Yes, it is possible.

The delay will depend on how the body reacts to the pill and the point of the menstrual cycle the woman is in.

The pill can delay menstruation by 3 weeks . That’s because the hormone contained in it messes up the entire menstrual cycle, and it can take 1 to 2 months for it to normalize.

Read more:  What is Irregular Menstruation? Know the types, causes, symptoms

It is worth remembering that the pill also has the ability to advance menstruation.

Another important point is that you should not use the morning-after pill when you are menstruating or on the days when your period should come down, or when you are on contraceptive breaks.

What does menstruation look like after taking the morning-after pill?

In addition to the dysregulation of the menstrual cycle, the morning-after pill can change some characteristics of menstruation.

It can come in larger quantities and darker because of the medication’s hormone.

Also read: How to put male and female condoms and the most common mistakes

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