Plan B Side Effects

My bf and I had unprotected sex May 31st. He did not ejaculate inside of me, but I wanted to play it safe and get Plan B.
I took the first pill within 24 hours (June 1) after intercourse and the second pill 12 hours after the first as directed.

On June 8th I woke up to what seemed like the beginning of my period. But it was dark brown/Dark red and thick and did not flow like a regular period. So today is the third day and I've just been wearing tampons for now since I have to work and stuff. On a normal period of mine I wear "Super" size tampon but what I'm experiencing now only fills 1/4 of the tampon.

I've read that spotting and disruption in menstrual cycle is a side effect of Plan B. But it also says that it may happen only up to a week before you're actual period should start. I shouldn't start my period until the 21st or 22nd of June. So it's about TWO weeks before.

Is this normal? Should I be worrying?

[Janice M Epp, PhD]

Hi.

First, let me give you strokes for taking responsibility once you'd had unprotected penis-vagina sex.

And let me now put your worries to rest. Plan B is a big dose of hormones all at once, And it often causes unpredictable bleeding and periods for a little while after use--not just right before your period, so relax. However, JUST TO BE SURE, why not use a home pregnancy test to set your mind at ease? Of course it goes without saying, that if, after your period arrives, you continue to experience irregular bleeding, you should see a gynecologist.

And no more unprotected sex! You should know that the fluid that the penis secretes PRIOR to ejaculation can contain millions of sperm, so regardless of whether he ejaculated inside you, you could still have become pregnant. Time now to investigate birth control/risk reduction options and choose the ones that are right for you! Best of luck to you. Dr. J