Hi everyone,
My periods are usually regular - 28 days but there are a couple times in a year where I get my period on the 21st day/a few days before or after the 28th. I last got my period on November 2 and it lasted for a week. On November 11, my boyfriend and I had unprotected sex and he ejaculated inside of me. I took the Nordette ECP (4 pills at first and then 4 pills 12 hours later) about 5 - 10 minutes after. On the 16th, I started my withdrawal bleeding. I usually get withdrawal bleeding, but this time it was a lot heavier. The first 2 - 3 days, I had to wear a pad and every time I coughed I felt blood coming out. It lasted like a period and eventually died down. It weirded me out a little because my withdrawal bleedings were usually quite light - light enough for me to wear only a pantyliner.
Last week, I got my usual PMS symptoms (slight sore breasts, a bit of cramping, and acne breakout). It has been 36 days and my breasts are back to normal, my cramping is very mild, but my acne breakout is CRAZY. Usually I only get maybe a pimple or two on my forehead but I have them on my forehead, cheeks, and chin! I've had no pregnancy symptoms whatsoever and no implantation bleeding as well. However, a few days ago my boyfriend and I had sex and my vaginal discharge was brown. I'm quite positive it can't be implantation bleeding because if it were, I should have bled a week before that.
Every time I've taken the ECP, my period is always on time. It's never been this late. I'm getting very anxious even if I have no pregnancy symptoms. My acne breakouts are usually my #1 indicator that I'm about to get on my period but it's been 8 days and still no luck! I've read around that some women really do miss a period and some can come as late as 70+ days. There's a high chance I'm not pregnant since I took the ECP in the window time and I wasn't ovulating that day, but any advice would do me well! Thanks so much. :)
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Hello jkang23,
Welcome to the EmpowHER community and thank you for reaching out to us for advice.
My greatest concern is that you mention that you have taken an emergency contraceptive before.
How often have you taken the pill, prior to taking it in November?
Do you use any other type of birth control, such as oral contraceptives?
An emergency contraceptive is not intended to be used as a regular form of birth control. As the name implies, it is designed to be used only in an emergency situation, such as contraceptive failure.
Taking such a pill too often can actually make it less effective and can potentially upset the hormonal balance that regulates the menstrual cycle. Since ECP have not been available for that many years and the manufacturer assumes women will use it as directed, enough time has not passed for much information to be available on the long term side effects of overuse.
kjang23, please contact your gynecologist. I do not think you are pregnant. But, I am concerned about your overuse of ECP and a hormonal imbalance.
Please keep us updated.
Regards,
December 8, 2015 - 9:22amMaryann
This Comment
I don't use the ECP very often. The last time I used it was around July/August I think. I'm very mindful about taking it because I know how badly it can really mess up a woman's cycle and overusing it can make it less effective. And no, I don't take any other type of BC. Thank you for response!
December 8, 2015 - 11:45pmThis Comment